He replaces Luhut Panjaitan in the key role of chief security minister, overseeing five ministries including foreign, interior and defence. "It is a setback," Andreas Harsono, Indonesia researcher for Human Rights Watch, told AFP. JAKARTA - A controversial former military chief accused of atrocities during Indonesia's brutal occupation of East Timor was appointed top security minister on Wednesday, with activists calling it a step backwards for human rights. He was head of the military during the 1998 transition from authoritarian rule to democracy and has in the past held the posts of defence and security minister. "The message might be that Jokowi (Widodo) is not going to be as progressive as before in pursuing his human rights agenda."

Source: Bangkok Post July 27, 2016 06:45 UTC