Markus Junianto Sihaloho & Anita Rachman – In the wake of Sunday's bomb attack in Solo, the House of Representatives is saying that it is optimistic that a controversial and much-delayed intelligence bill will be passed soon.

The bill, originally scheduled for passage in June, has faced numerous delays as lawmakers, the administration and intelligence officials have tried to resolve differences over contentious issues such as wiretapping.

Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, from House Commission I overseeing defense and the head of the intelligence bill's working committee, said that crucial points regarding wiretap authority, coordination between intelligence agencies and powers to arrest have been agreed upon by the legislature and administration.

"We're optimistic that the bill will be finished before this current sitting period is over, or in some weeks ahead," Agus said.

The House and government have agreed to give the authority to wiretap to the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), but with restrictions. The two bodies have also decided not to grant BIN officers the power to arrest suspects, but they will be granted greater access to information.

"So, they [BIN officers] have the right to sit at the side of the law enforcement to listen," Agus said. But he added that intelligence officers would not be able to order law officers to arrest suspects.

Another hotly contested point – who would coordinate activity between various intelligence groups – would go to the BIN, he said.

After Sunday's suicide attack in Solo, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that the public need not worry about the intelligence bill granting authorities excessive power.

"There is worry over it being used excessively, but it happens in all countries," Yudhoyono said. "We need to learn from previous experience that we don't want to be repressive, but that fair trials should be presented in our country."