Police Asked to Thoroughly Investigate Terrorist Network
The National Police chief said two people had been involved in the suicide bombing at the Makassar cathedral.
By
kompas team
·6 minutes read
BPMI SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN
President Joko Widodo condemned the suicide bombing in front of the Cathedral Church, Makassar which occurred on Sunday (28/3/2021) morning. This was conveyed in an online press statement on Sunday afternoon from the Bogor Presidential Palace.
Various parties have condemned the suicide bombing outside the Catholic cathedral in Makassar on Sunday (28/3/2021). A thorough investigation is a must, in addition to anticipating future terror acts.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Law enforcement officers should immediately carry out a thorough investigation into connections of the two people alleged to have detonated a bomb outside the Catholic cathedral in the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar on Sunday. The suspected suicide bombing should be a wakeup call for all parties, including the government, to work consistently to prevent violent extremism.
The explosion on Sunday (28/3) morning, apart from killing the two alleged perpetrators, injured 20 people. Most of the victims were injured from shrapnel of the bomb. Some were treated at hospitals in Makassar.
In a press statement, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo condemned the bombing and said the attack was a crime against humanity and had nothing to do with any religion. Therefore, the President invited the public to work together in fighting terrorism and radicalism.
Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro
General (Pol) Listyo Sigit Prabowo
The President also ordered National Police chief General (Pol) Listyo Sigit Prabowo to thoroughly investigate and uncover the perpetrators’ network to its roots. He vowed that the security apparatus would not tolerate such terrorist acts. "I ask the public to remain calm in carrying out worship because the state guarantees the security of the people to worship without fear," said President Jokowi.
Related to JAD
The National Police chief said two people had been involved in the suicide bombing at the Makassar cathedral. Until last night, only an initial of one of the suspects, L, was unveiled. According to Listyo, the two perpetrators were linked to Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), a group police had pursued at Villa Mutiara Makassar in early January in a raid during which two members were killed.
"This morning, there was a bomb explosion that resulted in the death of two suspected perpetrators. The identity of the perpetrator is L. The persons involved are part of the group that was raided some time ago. This group is also linked to bombing attacks in the Philippines in 2018. The bombs used were of the pressure cooker type, "said the Makassar Police chief on Sunday night.
AFP/ INDRA ABRIYANTO
Indonesian police stand guard outside a church after an explosion in Makassar on March 28, 2021.
Currently, Listyo added, police were conducting DNA examinations. "They are part of a group that was arrested some time ago. We arrested twenty people at that time. Related to this case, we have detained four people in Bima who were also linked to acts of terror, "he said.
This can be seen from the background of the perpetrators, who came from the same family, and their choice of target.
Listyo\'s statement is in line with the analysis of terrorism observer Al Chaidar, who assumed that the alleged bombers were part of the JAD network. This can be seen from the background of the perpetrators, who came from the same family, and their choice of target. Al Chaidar noted that the target of the attack was the same as in attacks in Surabaya and Jolo (southern Philippines). The bombs also used low explosive power, in large numbers.
He reminded the government to be aware of the religious leaders involved in radical organizations, because whenever they moved, there was a risk for suicide bomb attacks involving family members. "The pattern of their movement cannot be traced," he said.
The raid against the JAD group in Makassar was carried out by the Densus 88 antiterrorism squad on Wednesday (6/1) at Villa Mutiara. Two suspected terrorists who were shot dead were MR (46) and SA (23), a man and his son-in-law. Dozens of others were arrested.
In his explanation to reporters at the time, the South Sulawesi Police chief Inspector General Merdisyam said the group had many members and supported the establishment of a caliphate.
Appeals for calm
Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD said the National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) had been asked to increase security at places of worship and public areas. He urged the public to remain calm and not be affected by bomb attacks that were intended to cause commotion and fear.
AFP/INDRA ABRIYANTO
Indonesian police carry a bag with the remains of a suspected suicide bomber after an explosion outside a church in Makassar on March 28, 2021.
"This is a serious crime that endangers the ideology of the state and the life of the nation. It has nothing to do with any religion,” said Mahfud.
Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said the attack was a heinous act that tarnished the peace of life of the people and was far from religious teachings. "Whatever the motive, this action cannot be justified by any religion, because the impact is not only on oneself, but also very detrimental to others," he said.
The chairman of Muhammadiyah, Haedar Nashir, asked the police to investigate perpetrators of terror acts and their networks. “All violence and chaos that threaten and costs human life, regardless of the motives and purposes, by anyone, are very barbaric. Even though it occurs in front of a house of worship, do not associate it with religion or certain religious groups, "said Haedar.
Nahdlatul Ulama secretary-general Helmy Faishal Zaini condemned the incident and emphasized that violence was not the teaching of any religion. He said every religion taught love to others, and Islam also taught the values of tolerance and spread peace.
Ismail Hasani, the executive director of the Setara Institute, said the Makassar bombing was a wakeup call for all parties, especially the government, not to be lax in implementing the "protocol" for handling violent extremism, both prevention and prosecution.
AFP/ INDRA ABRIYANTO
An Indonesian policeman stands guard at the site of an explosion outside a church in Makassar on March 28, 2021.
According to him, violent extremism driven by ideological stimuli will not recede just because of the Covid-19 pandemic and will not subside along with improvement in law enforcement and organizations.
Based on observations by the team, security has been beefed up at places of worship in Jamb city in Jambi province, Padang in West Sumatra as well as Bandung and Cirebon in West Java. The same was seen in Banyumas in Central Java, Surabaya in East Java, Denpasar in Bali, Kupang in NTT and Pontianak in West Kalimantan. (SYA/REK/INA/EDN/REN/ENG/VIO/DKA/COK/ITA/IKI/BRO/TAM/ESA/JOL/KOR)
(This article was translated byHendarsyah Tarmizi).
