Terrorist Groups in Indonesia:A Status Update

In recent years, Indonesia has also been facing the threat of terrorist groups specifically targeting foreigners in the country, especially in tourist areas. One of the noteworthy organisations is JAD. Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) is a terrorist organization established in Indonesia in 2015. It serves as an umbrella group for nearly 20 extremist groups that have pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the former leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Oman Rochman is the ideological leader of JAD. Currently, JAD is the largest ISIL-affiliated terror network in Indonesia, and it has carried out numerous attacks since its inception.

One of JAD's most notorious attacks occurred in May 2018 when the group attacked three churches in Surabaya, a port city on Java Island's east coast, killing at least 13 people and injuring 40 others. The group has also conducted suicide bombings in East Jakarta in May 2017, killing three police officers, and attacked a police headquarters in North Sumatra's provincial capital of Medan, killing a police officer in June 2017. In January 2016, the group attacked Jakarta's shopping district with a suicide bomber and gunmen, killing two people and injuring 25 others.ISIL has claimed responsibility for JAD attacks, including the 2018 Surabaya bombings. This highlights the group's dangerous ideology and its potential to cause significant harm.

The Free Papua Movement, also known as Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM), is a separatist group that seeks independence for Papua, a region in eastern Indonesia. The movement has been active since the 1960s and has engaged in armed conflict with the Indonesian government. The group claims that the Papuan people have been oppressed and exploited by the Indonesian government and that independence is necessary to protect their human rights and ensure their economic and political development.

While the Free Papua Movement has not been officially designated as a terrorist organization by the Indonesian government or international organizations, it has been accused of engaging in violent activities, including bombings, kidnappings, and attacks on Indonesian security forces. The group has also been accused of human rights abuses, including the targeting of civilians who are perceived to be cooperating with the Indonesian government.

The Indonesian government has taken a hardline approach to the Free Papua Movement, viewing them as a threat to national security and territorial integrity. The government has deployed military and police forces to the region to suppress the movement, and there have been reports of human rights abuses by security forces against Papuan civilians.

The Free Papua Movement remains a contentious issue in Indonesian politics, and its struggle for independence continues to be a source of tension between Papuan activists and the Indonesian government. While the movement's tactics have been criticized by some as counterproductive, it continues to enjoy support from some Papuan activists and human rights advocates who believe that the Papuan people have been marginalized by the Indonesian government.

Mujahidin Indonesian Timur (MIT) is a terrorist group based in the eastern region of Indonesia. The group was formed in 2012 by Santoso, a militant leader who had ties to al-Qaeda and other extremist organizations. MIT's goal is to establish an Islamic caliphate in Indonesia and it has been responsible for several terrorist attacks, including bombings, shootings, and kidnappings.MIT has primarily targeted Indonesian security forces but has also carried out attacks against civilians, particularly Christians. The group has been known to use social media to spread its ideology and to recruit new members.

The Indonesian government has taken strong measures to combat MIT, deploying military and police forces to the region to hunt down its members. In 2016, Santoso was killed in a gun battle with Indonesian security forces, but the group has continued to carry out attacks under new leadership.MIT is considered to be one of the most dangerous terrorist groups in Indonesia, and its activities have caused concern among regional and international security officials. The group's links to al-Qaeda and other extremist organizations have raised fears that it could become a hub for regional terrorism.

One of the most significant challenges in the fight against terrorism in Indonesia is the issue of prison radicalization. Indonesian prisons have been identified as a key area where extremist ideologies can spread and where convicted terrorists can continue to plot and plan attacks even while they are incarcerated. The government has made efforts to address this issue, including through the establishment of deradicalization programs and the separation of convicted terrorists from the general prison population.

Another challenge facing the Indonesian government is the issue of foreign fighters. Several Indonesians have travelled to Syria and Iraq to fight with the Islamic State, and there are concerns that these individuals may return to Indonesia and carry out attacks. The government has implemented several measures to address this issue, including the revocation of passports and the implementation of travel bans for those who are suspected of planning to join extremist groups.

The Indonesian government has made efforts to combat terrorism through a combination of law enforcement and intelligence operations, as well as through efforts to counter radicalization and extremism through education and community outreach. These efforts have led to the arrests and convictions of many individuals involved in terrorist activities, as well as the disruption of a number of terrorist plots.

After the Bali bombings in 2002, Indonesia implemented a new piece of legislation known as the Anti-Terrorism Law (ATL) to strengthen its counterterrorism measures. The law provides legal grounds for the government to take preemptive measures against suspected terrorist activities and organizations. It also defines terrorism as a crime and outlines severe punishments for those involved in terrorism-related activities. Additionally, the law empowers the police and the military to conduct joint operations against terrorism threats. The ATL has played a crucial role in preventing and countering terrorism in Indonesia.

Indonesia's Counterterrorism Law (CTL) was introduced in 2018 to replace the previous Anti-Terrorism Law. The law aims to strengthen the country's counterterrorism efforts by providing a legal framework for preventing, combating, and investigating terrorist activities. One of the significant changes introduced by the CTL is the establishment of a new counterterrorism agency, the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), responsible for coordinating the country's counterterrorism efforts. The law also includes provisions for the forfeiture of assets used in terrorism financing and the ability to strip citizenship from those convicted of terrorism offences. The CTL also increases penalties for terrorist activities, including the death penalty for some offences.

Indonesia's Money Laundering Law was amended in 2002 to include provisions aimed at combatting terrorism financing. The law requires financial institutions to report suspicious transactions and sets out severe penalties for money laundering and terrorism financing offences. The amendments to the law were introduced in response to concerns about the use of illicit funds to finance terrorist activities. The law's provisions have helped to strengthen Indonesia's ability to prevent and disrupt terrorism financing, which is an essential component of the country's broader counterterrorism efforts.

Indonesia's Foreign Fighters Law was introduced in 2013 to prevent Indonesians from joining terrorist groups abroad. The law criminalizes participation in foreign conflicts and provides severe punishments for those who attempt to join or support terrorist groups overseas. The law was enacted in response to growing concerns about Indonesian citizens travelling to Syria and Iraq to join the Islamic State. The law's provisions have been effective in preventing Indonesians from joining foreign terrorist organizations, with the number of Indonesians joining such groups declining in recent years.

However, despite these efforts, the threat of terrorism in Indonesia remains significant. The country's large Muslim population and its history of political violence make it a fertile ground for extremist groups to recruit and radicalize individuals. Additionally, the country's vast archipelago and porous borders make it difficult for authorities to monitor and track potential terrorist suspects.

Detachment 88 (Densus 88) is a counter-terrorism unit of the Indonesian National Police that was established in the wake of the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed over 200 people, mostly foreign tourists. The unit is responsible for investigating and preventing terrorist attacks in Indonesia and has been credited with significant successes in dismantling terrorist cells and preventing attacks.Detachment 88 is highly trained and well-equipped, and it works closely with international partners, including the United States, Australia, and other countries in the region. The unit has been instrumental in tracking down and capturing or killing many of Indonesia's most wanted terrorists, including Noordin Mohammed Top, the mastermind behind the 2009 bombings of the J.W. Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta.

The government has also been working with other countries and international organizations to combat terrorism. Indonesia is a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum on Counter-Terrorism and the Counter-Terrorism Financing Summit of the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) and has also cooperated with other countries in the region and around the world on counter-terrorism efforts, including through intelligence-sharing and law enforcement cooperation. Indonesia's police and military have been actively engaged in counter-terrorism operations, including through the use of special forces units such as Detachment 88 and the military's special forces unit, Kopassus. Despite these efforts, the threat of terrorism in Indonesia remains significant.

The government should work to address the root causes of terrorism, such as poverty, political instability, and sectarianism. This could involve initiatives to promote economic development, enhance political participation, and foster interfaith dialogue. Finally, the government should continue to work with international partners to share intelligence and coordinate efforts to combat terrorism. This could include cooperation with the United States, Australia, and other countries in the region, as well as participation in international counter-terrorism initiatives such as the Global Counterterrorism Forum. By taking these steps, Indonesia can continue to make progress in countering terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of its people.

Pic Courtsey-Eko Herwanto at unsplash.com

(The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent views of CESCUBE,)