Published January 13, 2015
Indonesia's (search) president vowed Friday to destroy the terrorist networks responsible for bombings in the world's largest Muslim nation, calling them a "terrifying threat."
In a state-of-the-nation address, President Megawati Sukarnoputri (search) also said she would strengthen Indonesia's security forces in the face of separatist and terrorist threats to the archipelago's unity.
"It is more than appropriate, and even a must, for us to take necessary action to dismantle the terrorist network to its roots," she told the country's highest legislative body.
She lashed out at Muslim militants accused of carrying out a series of terrorist bombings, including last year's attacks on the island of Bali (search) which killed 202 people -- mostly foreign tourists. At least 35 people have been arrested on suspicion of involvement, and the four main suspects are currently standing trial in Bali.
"This domestic branch of the international terrorism movement is a terrifying threat," she said.
Megawati, who faces re-election next year, defended her administration against criticism that it's been too slow to attack corruption and fix the moribund economy. She said the gross domestic product would expand just 3.66 percent, instead of the four percent initially forecast.
At their annual meeting which began Friday, the 700 members of the People's Consultative Assembly are scheduled to revoke dozens of obsolete decrees from the era of ex-dictator Suharto, who was pushed from office in 1998.
In contrast to a series of tumultuous meetings over the past five years -- a period marked by Suharto's ouster, the election of three presidents, and the impeachment of one -- this year's session has little else on its agenda.
The session is being held under heavy security following a spate of terrorist bombings, including one last month inside the parliamentary premises. More than 22,000 policemen and soldiers have been mobilized to guard the meeting.
In a symbolic move, the assembly is also expected to formally revoke the 1967 impeachment of President Sukarno -- Megawati's father and a founder of the Indonesian republic who was ousted by Suharto. Sukarno died under house arrest in 1970 and his family has long called for his name to be cleared.
The assembly convenes for a short period just once a year to set national policy and receive reports from the president and other senior officials.
https://www.foxnews.com/story/indonesian-president-vows-to-destroy-terrorists