Indonesia Mulls Greater Police Powers in New Anti-Terror Law

  • Measure part of revision to law after Jakarta attack
  • Changes would include power to detain suspects for six months

Armed police officers cross a road near the site of an explosion in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Thursday, Jan. 14.

Photographer: Dimas Ardian/Bloomberg
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Indonesian police will be able to detain suspects for six months under a significant expansion of powers contained in a revised anti-terrorism law, according to a copy of the bill.

The introduction of preventative detention is one of several new provisions drafted to strengthen the fight against extremism in Indonesia following a Jan. 14 attack in Jakarta blamed on Islamic State militants. The government’s bill will now be discussed by parliament, where changes may be proposed.