Jakarta’s anti-terror law

JAKARTA: Indonesia is set to approve a law allowing authorities to jail citizens coming home after joining militant groups abroad for up to 15 years, MPs said yesterday.

The tightening of anti-terrorism laws in the world’s largest Muslimmajority country comes as concern grows about the spread of the influence of Islamic State, and fears it wants a foothold in Southeast Asia as it loses territory in the Middle East.

“The new criminal code means that wherever an Indonesian citizen commits a crime, they can be legally processed in Indonesia,” said lawmaker Arsul Sani, referring to terrorism. “They can face up to 15 years in prison.”