ABC AUSTRALIA, 18/12/2003 22:51:05
Megawati accused of giving excessive power to spy agency
An Indonesian human rights group, Imparsial, has accused the president, Megawati
Sukarnoputri, of giving the country's national intelligence agency too much power.
Imparsial's director, Munir, says the National Intelligence Agency has recruited
regional officials, including village chiefs, as their agents and set up regional offices.
Mr Munir says the agency has asked for excessive powers, including the right to
arrest and detain suspects, and for a budget to buy arms and set up forces.
He claims the President Megawati is focusing on security to win public support in the
lead up to next year's national and presidential election.
Mr Munir says police, who have been internationally praised for a string of successful
investigations, are working more effectively than the intelligence agency, which he
says is providing little usable intelligence.
18/12/2003 22:51:05 | ABC Radio Australia News
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