Jakarta. The House of Representatives has formed a special working committee on Monday (18/04) tasked with revising the country's anti-terrorism laws following the death of a suspect last month while he was in the custody of the police's elite anti-terror unit, Densus 88.

House Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon said the working committee will be led by Muhammad Syafi'i of the Great Indonesian Movement Party (Gerindra). His four deputy chairmen will be Hanafi Rais of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Syaiful Bahri Ansori of the National Awakening Party (PKB) and Supiadin Aries of the National Democratic Party (NasDem).

The working committee comprises several lawmakers from House Commission I, which oversees defense and intelligence affairs, and Commission III, which oversees security and human rights affairs. The new committee will start its job this week.

"We leave [the discussion of the anti-terror law revisions] to the committee. They should discuss it as soon as possible, and pay attention to the details. No need to rush the amendments as it is a sensitive subject, but don't take too long either," Fadli told reporters.

Fadli highlighted the death of suspected terrorist Siyono – allegedly at the hands of Densus 88 – and argued that any revision should ensure that suspects' rights are upheld and protected to prevent similar incidents in future.

However, the House also wants the country's counter-terrorism officials to have more power to prevent terrorist attacks, Fadli said.

The government has said that it wants the revised bill, which is expected to offer better protection for people against threats posed by violent extremists, to be ready by the middle of this year.