Not a Home to Terrorism

KOMPAS/VIDELIS JEMALI

The Tinombala Operations Task Force crossed the road of Lembantongoa Village, Palolo District, Sigi Regency, Tengan Sulawesi, Tuesday (12/1/2020) to pursue members of the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorism group.

Salus populi suprema lex esto. This Latin proverb means that the salvation of the people is the highest law, a saying gaining popularity in the country.

The proverb was first put forward by Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) and then was popularized by English philosophers Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) and John Locke (1632-1704), as well as Portuguese philosopher Baruch de Spinoza (1632-1677). State administrators, no matter their state, must prioritize the safety of the people. Without the people, there is no country.

Also read: Safeguarding National Resilience

Salus populi suprema lex esto, or salus populi suprema est became popularized when the globe was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The novel coronavirus has spread across 220 countries/territories, including Indonesia. As of Tuesday (12/1/2020) afternoon, citing data from Worldometers.info, there are 18.14 million cases still active and around 1.47 million dead. In Indonesia, the number of COVID-19 cases also continues to increase. State administrators everywhere are struggling to save their people from the pandemic.

The terrorist group also burned down a number of residents’ houses.

In Indonesia, the Latin saying was also popularized last week, when it was reported that four residents of Lembantongoa village, Palolo district, Sigi regency, Central Sulawesi were killed by the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT). The terrorist group also burned down a number of residents’ houses.

The hunt for the perpetrators in Sigi by both the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police was hampered by difficult terrain. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had asked authorities to solve the case, while also conveying his deep sorrow for the victims. The terrorist act was deemed aimed at provoking and terrorizing the community to disrupt unity and harmony. But there is no place in this country for terrorism (Kompas, 29/11-1/12/2020).

KOMPAS/VIDELIS JEMALI

Residents work together to clean up the ruins of a house kitchen that were burned by members of the East Indonesia Mujahidin terrorism group (MIT) in Lembantongoa Village, Palolo District, Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi, Tuesday (1/12/2020).

Indonesia is vulnerable to becoming a site for acts of international terrorism. The United Nations (UN) in 2011 defined terrorism as criminal acts with intent to spread fear in a society and to intimidate government or international bodies. The MIT group that spread terror in Sigi was also suspected of being linked to an international criminal network. This group was formed back in 2012, led by Santoso, who was shot dead by the Tinombala Task Force in mid-2016. The group now is being led by Ali Kalora and only has a dozen members.

The victims and perpetrators may know each other or share the same background.

Globally, terrorist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda are gradually weakening. Acts of terrorism, including suicide bombings, throughout 2001-2018 resulted in no less than 33,000 citizens being killed. Last August, the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) released data on victims and witnesses of terrorism in this country, reaching as many as 489 people. The victims and perpetrators may know each other or share the same background.

Acts of terrorism, including what occurred in Sigi, were not attributed to tribal or religious wars. Terrorism is a crime, and anyone can be a victim. It is, however, impossible for authorities to fight them without the support of citizens. Firm action against terrorists must be taken, but the people also need to rise up against them in various ways. This country is not a home to terrorism.