Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu (left) and Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo (right) after a working meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives at the Parliament complex in Jakarta on Thursday (15/6). Among the subjects discussed at the closed meeting was the work plan and budget for the Defense Ministry and TNI in the 2018 fiscal year.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Cells of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (IS) already exist in 16 regions in Indonesia. However, security apparatuses have no legal basis as yet to crack down on them. These cells can be activated at any time, and will become more dangerous if the IS cells in Marawi, the Philippines, are cornered and flee to Indonesia.
To anticipate the entry to Indonesia of IS cells from Marawi, Mindanao Island, the Philippines, the Indonesian National Police and Indonesian Military (TNI) intensified discussions in the past week with people in North Sulawesi, which shares a marine border with the Philippines. This communication was undertaken so that people are increasingly aware of the threat of terrorism around them.
The National Police have also deployed six ships and a number of officers to North Sulawesi. At the same time, the TNI has closed points of entry from Marawi to Indonesia.
The TNI has also increased security on the islands closest to Marawi, namely Marore and Miangas islands, North Sulawesi. For coordinated air and sea operations, submarines in the area have also been placed on alert. "Therefore, IS fighters from Marawi cannot enter Tarakan (North Kalimantan), Bitung in North Sulawesi, or North Maluku," said TNI Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo after a working meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives at the legislative complex, Jakarta, Thursday (15/6).
Dangerous
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto has previously said terrorism acts by the Maute group in Marawi would pose a danger to Indonesia. The reason is that the territorial waters of Mindanao, southern Philippines, borders Indonesian waters in the far north of North Sulawesi.
Director of the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) Sidney Jones said that the Maute group, which is the most dangerous IS cell in the Philippines, also hada close relationship with Indonesian citizens.
Jones said that one of the founders of the Maute militia, which was originally named the Khilafah Islamiyah Mindanao (KIM), namely Omarkhayam Romato Maute,was married to an Indonesian citizen, Minhati Madrais. Omarkhayam even taught at an Islamic boarding school (pesantren) belonging to Minhati’s family in Bekasi, West Java, after he returned from Egypt in 2009.
Omarkhayam founded the KIM with his brother Abdullah. The link between the two with Indonesia, Jones said, was strengthened through their mentor, Sanusi, from Tegal, Central Java. The Maute militia, she further said, was a supporter of Isnilon Totoni Hapilon, who became the IS leader in Southeast Asia.
In the latest developments, the Philippine military says it has arrested Mohammad Noaim Maute, brother to Omarkhayam and Abdullah.
Philippine military spokesman Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera said that Noaim was arrested at a guard post near the town of Cagayan de Oro on Wednesday morning. According to a military spokesman of the Mindanao East Command, Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, Noaim was strongly believed to be a bomb maker for the Maute group.
Head of the National Police public information division Sr. Comr. Martinus Sitompul said the Indonesian police was coordinating with the Philippine National Police to locate Indonesian citizens who are included on the list of people who have joined the Maute group. The Indonesian police has also exchanged data with the Philippine National Police related to RS, who was arrested by Indonesian police in Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta. RS is believed to be funding four Indonesians in the Maute group, providing US$7,500 in cash (about Rp 99.7 million) to the four in February 2017.
Meanwhile, five defense ministers from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Brunei will gather on June 19 in Tarakan, North Kalimantan, to discuss the development of IS.
"So we know that if anything happens, we are ready," said Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu.
The series of events in Tarakan will also see the launch of a three-nation joint patrol consisting of security forces from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Mingling
Gatot Nurmantyo explained that IS cells existed in 16 regions in Indonesia, including West Nusa Tenggara, Central Java and East Java. "Those who have become part of the IS cells, have mingled with the community, and cannot be distinguished," he said.
Even though IS cells had been detected in 16 regions, the TNI commander said law enforcers could not take action against them. "Capture them using which law?" Gatot asked.
The law that is expected to facilitate action against those with terrorist affiliations has not been fully discussed by the House of Representatives and the government. The law in question is an amendment to Law No. 5 of 2003 on Eradication of Criminal Acts of Terrorism.
Chairman of the House’s Special Committee for the Antiterrorism Draft Amendment Muhammad Syafii said that of the 112 points in the inventory list of problematic items (DIM) in the draft amendment, 72 had been discussed with the government.
"Making laws is not like making handicrafts. It cannot be predicted when it will be completed," he said.
In a closed meeting between the special committee and the government on Thursday, one of the items being agreed related to the detention period of an individual involved in terrorism.
The detention period following arrest was decided at 14 days, which could be extended by another 7 days with court approval. The detention period at the investigation stage is 120 days, which can be extended by 60 days and by a further 30 days. Detention periods at the district court, the high court and the Supreme Court levels follows the rules as set out in the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP).
Syafii said the total period of detention from arrest up to a court verdict with permanent legal force was thus 781 days. The detention period is shorter than the 1,010 days proposed by the government in the draft amendment.
"This is a kind of compromise. If we followed the government\'s proposal, the detention period would violate human rights. On the contrary, if it followed KUHAP, law enforcers would be in difficulties to prove whether someone was a terrorist or not," he said.
