BNN To Have The Same Status As BNPT Soon

Surabaya, E Java (Antara Bali) - The National Narcotic Agency (BNN) will soon have the same status as the National Counterterrorism Board (BNPT), Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal  and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said.

"I think the BNN will soon have the same status as BNPT. Hopefully, a presidential regulation to that effect will be signed next week. Last night, the president informed me about it," he said after attending a meeting here on Wednesday.

With the change in status, the BNN chief will be directly responsible to the president and will coordinate with the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs in performing his duties, he said.

Luhut had earlier said President Joko Widodo is determined to upgrade the BNN's status to the level of a ministry to demonstrate the government's seriousness in combating drug abuse which has reached alarming levels in the country.

The plan to upgrade the BNN's status also received warm welcome from many sides, including the House of Representatives Commission III.

In response to this change in status, BNN Chief Commissioner General Budi Waseso observed that it will make the agency's task even more formidable as the drug threat was serious.

"Indonesia has a population of 250 million, of whom 125 million are in their productive age and we must save them from the danger of drugs, while the BNN has only 4,400 personnel nationwide," he said. (WDY)