The House of Representatives (DPR) enacted a law February 25th that commits Indonesia to the UN's International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.

Passage of the bill affirms the nation's support for eradicating all forms of terrorism, lawmaker Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, who heads the DPR's Commission I overseeing defence and security, said at the plenary session.

"Following this event, we will develop infrastructure related to nuclear security. We will also increase multilateral co-operation, collaboration, prevention, safety, [and] capacity building with other countries," he told fellow lawmakers. "In brief, acts considered against the law include obtaining any radioactive substances unlawfully, damaging a nuclear facility or participating in the implementation of these actions."

Deputy House Speaker Priyo Budi Santoso told the plenary the proposed law had full DPR backing.

Defending nuclear installations

Indonesia becomes the 93rd UN member-state to ratify the convention, which Russia had proposed in April 2005. Indonesia's National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN) runs three mostly research-based nuclear reactors, the Jakarta Globe reported.

The DPR commission agreed to the draft bill after a previous week's hearing with Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.

"This is part of our commitment to combat terrorism and protect our society from any possible nuclear threat," Marty said at a February 18th news conference. "The main objective of this convention is to protect society against the illicit use of nuclear power and reactors."

Indonesians reacted by praising the move.

"I am very pleased that our government is committed to this process. I think this is an essential agreement to ensure that we would not see any nuclear threats used against our society," 25-year old Jakarta resident Rokhmadi Hasym told Khabar Southeast Asia.

Muhammad Wahyudi, an Islamic cleric from Tangerang near the site of one of the BATAN reactors, expressed appreciation for the government's commitment to safeguarding the Indonesian people from a nuclear attack.

"The government has done whatever they can. Now, we should do whatever we can to help our young generation understand the importance of science to improve human living and not to kill people," he told Khabar.