TEMPO Interactive
April 3, 2002

Yusril Ihza Mahendra: Terrorism Regulations Not to Be Imposed on GAM or OPM 

Kuala Lumpur: Indonesia’s Terrorism Regulations, which are still being prepared, will not be imposed on the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) or the Free Papua Movement (OPM), according to Yusril Ihza Mahendra, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights. 

Following the closing of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Forum at the Palace of The Golden Horses in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Wednesday (3/4), Mahendra said that Indonesia has its own criteria and point of view on terrorism. 

He went on to say the term ‘terrorism’ has been used for political propaganda more often than explaining the legal aspects. 

Mahendra said he therefore did not agree with countries that implement anti-terrorism regulations without regard for the supremacy of the law. 

According to him, political struggles in a country are not terrorism. 

“If any group that struggles for their political interests is badly oppressed, it will fight using terrorism methods, but this does not mean it can be classified as a terrorist group ” said Mahendra. 

(Rommy Fibri—TEMPO Magazine)