Markus Junianto Sihaloho – The Defense Ministry said on Thursday that the military had the authority to take action against terror suspects.

Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said that although there was no special decree for the military's involvement in the fight against terrorism, the police and the military had already established a tradition of understanding and cooperation with regards to antiterror efforts in the field.

"The military can take action against terrorists, but only after a request from the police," Juwono said.

A military spokesman had earlier said the government needed to issue a decree clarifying its powers to fight extremist violence. A decree, the unnamed official said, would empower the military to arrest and take strong action against terror suspects.

Several nongovernmental organizations criticized the demand for a decree, however, saying such involvement would only confuse the roles of the military and police.

National Police Chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri said on Thursday that cooperation between the police and the military remained positive.

He said special regulations were needed to clarify the military's role in the antiterror fight, but only in the future. "It's better to maintain the current situation now," Bambang said.

He said that joint military-police exercises would be held in October to allow both sides to evaluate their cooperation. "The focus of our cooperation in the future will be how to strengthen the role of each side to prevent terror," Bambang said.

Meanwhile, Army Chief Gen. Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo said on Thursday that cooperation between the military and police on matters such as antiterrorism efforts should be coordinated under a special council.

"The council would decide how both institutions would cooperate," Agustadi said. "I think the national security bill draft would regulate the need to establish such a council."

Maj. Gen. Pramono Edi Wibowo, the commander of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus), said on Thursday that the antiterror unit of the Kopassus was always ready to be deployed to help the police if necessary.

He said some of his officers had already helped the police arrest terror suspects, but did not reveal further details. "We always help the police on request," he said.