Jakarta – Strong reasons for their involvement must be provided before the Indonesia Military (TNI) is given a bigger role in fighting terrorism, experts said Sunday.

They were commenting on statements President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made Friday supporting calls for the TNI to be more active in the fight against terrorism.

Jaleswari Pramodhawardani, from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), said the TNI should not be given the right to take direct action on suspected terrorists. "I strongly oppose any move to give the TNI the authority to capture and interrogate suspects," she said Sunday.

She argued the TNI had not been trained to deal with operations in civilian areas, and it therefore tended to use "harsher" tactics than the police. "If the government still insists on giving the TNI a role, than there must be a specific law to regulate their actions," she said.

She added that there must be a fixed period set for the involvement of the TNI. "It must certainly not be forever," she said.

Makmur Keliat, a political expert at the University of Indonesia, expressed a similar opinion.

"It is mandated in the military law that there must be a specific rule made by the government if the TNI is to take part in counterterrorism. The president has not explained the specific reason why he wants the TNI to play a bigger role," Makmur said, adding the law required him to do so.

Jaleswari said only an emergency situation would justify the TNI taking part in civilian security. "How bad is the situation that the TNI must take part in the police's job? That is the question the President must answer," she said.

Agus Widjojo, a member of the presidential working unit for program management and reform, said Saturday the President should make a special regulation on the TNI's involvement in counterterrorism.

"Don't just say the TNI must be involved. The President must make a special regulation with regard to their action," Agus told Kompas.

However, intelligence observer Dinno Cressbon said he understood the need for the TNI to be involved in counterterrorism efforts.

"I support the TNI's involvement, especially in the effort to catch Noordin M. Top," he said. "Obviously, the police need help to catch Noordin. From the Bali bombings to the July 17 hotel bombings, they have failed to catch him."

He said the TNI could be of great help to the police, because it had established counterterrorist units. "The Air Force, Marines and the Army have their own special antiterrorist units. Each unit has its own intelligence. They certainly can help the police," he said.

Dinno said that there was no need for the TNI's role to be regulated. "Currently there is an understanding between the TNI and police on how to fight terrorism. I don't think there is a need to make any special regulations," he said.

Dinno said the police were the frontline of the fight against terrorism and that the TNI gave them the needed support. (mrs)