REHABILITATION FOR TERRORISM PERPETRATORS IN INDONESIA By POLICE BRIGADIER GENERAL BEKTO SUPRAPTO CHIEF OF SPECIAL DETACHMENT 88 / ANTI TERROR OF THE INDONESIAN NATIONAL POLICE Foreword The existence of terrorist groups in Indonesia cannot be separated from radical Islamic group movement in Indonesia. Radical Islamic group in Indonesia started from the emergence of Darul Islam and Indonesian Islamic Army (Tentara Islam Indonesia) at the early times of independence of the Republic of Indonesia. The movement, which was led by Karto Suwiryo with the goal of establishing an Indonesian Islamic Country, managed to command some part of West Java and Central Java, used as the basis on armed insurgency movement against the government of the Republic of Indonesia. Darul Islam movement was followed by a group lead by Ibnu Hadjar in South Kalimantan, Kahar Muzakar group in South Sulawesi and Daud Bureuh group in Aceh. Although these groups managed to be eradicated by the Government of Indonesia, the Islamic radical movement became active again in the early 1970 up to 1980, by Komando Jihad, Warman group and Ali Imron group, which were also eradicated by the government. With the fall of the New Order regime and the birth of reformation era, followed by the emergence of many social, political and religious movements, the Islamic radical movement came back to Indonesia. The return of Abdullah Sungkar and Abu Bakar Ba asyir from their exile in Malaysia to Indonesia in 1999 further fueled the violent actions with Islamic radical principal ground in Indonesia. After the arrest of Amrozi, the perpetrator of 2002 Bali Bomb which took the life of 202 people and wounded hundred other victims was followed by the arrest of many other perpetrators. The more perpetrators arrested, the more revelations were found on the existence of an international terrorism group calling themselves Al Jama ah Al Islamiyyah, and the involvement of this group in various bombing incidents since 2000 in various parts of Indonesia. From some terror perpetrators in Indonesia that have been arrested and prosecuted, some of them came from second and third generation of those who were involved in Darul Islam and Komando Jihad movement. Considering the strong connection between terrorist movement in Indonesia and Islamic radical movement in Indonesia, it is not enough to counter terrorism through law enforcement only, but it is also necessary to take steps in counter radicalization movement of Islam in Indonesia.
This writing would discuss on the background of terrorism in Indonesia, Islamic radicalization in Indonesia, counter radicalization measures, rehabilitation movement by INP and some recommendations. Islamic Radical in Indonesia In principle, radicalization of Islam is a perception on Islamic religious teachings that are characterized by four important elements: 1. Intolerant attitude, which does not respect the opinion and belief of others; 2. Fanaticism, always feel themselves as the right ones and others as wrong; 3. Exclusive, separating themselves from the general Moslem; 4. Revolutionary, tend to use violent means to achieve goals. In addition to that, some ideological grounds could be identified from the radical movements or groups, which are: 1. Islam is a comprehensive and wholesome life principle. Thus, Islam cannot be separated from social, political and legal aspect of life; 2. Western ideology which is secular and materialistic has to be rejected. Moslem fails to build an ideal religious society since they have turned from Islamic teachings and follow western perspective that is secular and materialistic; 3. The followers as requested to return to Islam as an effort for social change. This change is only possible to be implemented by fulfilling the authentic Islamic teachings as described by Al Qur an and Sunnah. 4. Social structure born from western influence or tradition must be rejected and in exchange, Moslem must enforce Islamic law as the only legal source; 5. Modernization and scientific and technological development are not rejected in so far as they can be integrated to Islamic values and teachings; 6. Islamization measures have to be accompanied with emphasis on the importance of organizing or establishing a strong group or organization. Radicalization counter measures in Indonesia In the National Policy and Strategy on Terrorism Eradication in Indonesia coordinated by Coordination Desk on Terrorism Crime Eradication at the Coordinating Ministry of Politics, Law and Security, the programs that cover prevention, rehabilitation and follow up phase are implemented. These programs are basically aimed to: First, prevent and counter the development of Islamic teaching interpretations that give birth to radical attitude and actions veering towards terrorism; second, supporting measures to maintain and increase the image of peaceful, tolerant, moderate Islam that gives blessings towards the universe (rahmatan lil alamin). Programs implemented are as follows: 1. Prevention Phase
This phase is aimed to correct misinterpretation of Islamic teaching, which veers from peaceful and non-violent principles of Islam, through the following programs: a. Conducting inventory on areas and institutions to identify areas and institutions with radical tendency. b. Conducting lectures/dakwah, discussions and training on moderate Islam for pesantrens, madrasahs and Islamic universities. c. Publishing and distributing religious sermons and lecture books for da i. d. Publishing guideline books for majelis taklim management complete with curriculum. Until now, majelis taklim management is still traditional and does not use any curriculum. By providing assistance in curriculum, the idea of moderate Islam can be integrated into prayer meetings of majelis taklim. e. Dissemination of moderate Islam belief to Islamic youth organizations. If necessary, establishment of moderate Islamic youth associations is promoted. f. Conducting talk show through electronic media to convey moderate Islam messages. g. Producing movies containing messages on peaceful Islam that abhors violent or suicidal actions. h. Conducting public meetings in the form of seminars, workshops, meetings, discussions and other forms of meetings. i. Formulating network with mass media in the form of press conference, information exchange as means to convey counter terrorism messages. j. Implementing steps to discourage Indonesian youths who want to study in foreign madrasahs or pesantrens known to be radical, such as in Afghanistan and Pakistan. k. Utilizing websites. 2. Rehabilitation Phase This phase consists of the following activities: a. Conducting dialogs with convicted terrorists incarcerated in prisons to inline their understandings on Islamic teachings. b. Conducting psychological and social condition evaluation on convicted terrorists. c. Providing assistance/moral support to families of convicted terrorists to influence their thoughts and feelings so that they are avoided from the influence of radical groups. d. Conducting activities that involve media to be watched by terrorists doing their sentences. 3. Follow Up Phase a. Conducting monitoring or contact with convicted terrorists who have finished their sentences.
b. Assisting convicted terrorist released from prisons to adapt with the society. c. Continuing the moral support for ex-terrorist convicts released from prisons. d. Providing enlightenment to released ex-terrorists convicts. e. If possible, assisting in finding employment for ex-terrorists convicts. In implementing these programs, Coordination Desk on Counter Terrorism from the Coordinating Ministry of Politic, Law and Security coordinates the utilization of the following institutions: 1. Islamic education institutions (Madrasah, pesantren, and higher education); 2. Islam based non-governmental organizations; 3. Islam based youth organizations and civil organizations; and 4. Mosques and related institutions, such as majelis taklim. Rehabilitation of terrorist by INP Rehabilitation and enlightenment measures are highly needed for suspected terrorists since their apprehension, incarceration and release from imprisonment, since ideological perception received by terror perpetrators has become a doctrine that is dogmatic and sacred, that they used as guidelines in their religious beliefs and life. Perceptions of violent ideology that could create terror with religious justification obtained from the statements taken by arrested terrorists are as follows: 1. Violent ideology that gives birth to terrorism acts is considered not as a crime but a struggle to uphold their religious belief; 2. Violent actions that have been committed and proven to be a crime in court is not considered as crimes; 3. Those who do not support their ideology are considered as infidels, enemies, and thus, must be fought; 4. There is no recognition of the Republic of Indonesia, as it is based on human law, and they will try their outmost to establish a new country based on Islamic syariah. The perception of violent ideology that leads to terrorist acts is a form of evolution from real life, called as hijrah, from the reality of everyday life to a new life called bumi jihad/life of jihad, which is conducting jihad to get the express ticket to heaven through syahid/martyr death (either by suicide or be murdered), killing of any form, or robbery to obtain spoils of war from the infidels, also known as Fa i. In facing this kind of ideology, some actions are taken by the INP to provide rehabilitation and enlightenment to suspects by:
1. Separating the detention unit of one suspect from the others to enable enlightenment, prevent terrorists suspects from influencing and reinforcing each other on the ideology they believe, and to provide terrorist suspects the description of real life from other ordinary criminals; 2. Providing recognition on the positions of suspects in the hierarchical structure in terrorist groups, by providing different treatment towards leaders and followers, thus enabling easier communication with suspects; 3. Building personal rapport through personal communication and attention to family and social problems of suspects; 4. Employing some terrorist group members who have come around to act as counselor in conducting enlightenment to other suspects; 5. Conducting supervision and maintaining good relationship by providing ready assistance to terror perpetrators after they are released from incarceration. Recommendations To overcome terrorism acts related to the development of Islamic radical movement, the following recommendations are necessary to be considered: 1. Real steps in comprehensively handling violent ideology perceived by terrorist are necessary to be taken and implemented to all concerned institutions including to some pesantrens that are known to have disseminate radical perceptions; 2. Some social conditions that become seeding grounds of violent ideology need to be handled; 3. Continuous monitoring on networks or groups that have potentials to be terrorist groups must be conducted. The example is al Jama ah Al Islamiyyah, which was considered to have been eradicated. In fact, the group still has activities and prepares some violent actions by collection arms, ammunition and ready to use bombs; 4. Revelation on recruitment methods of terrorist groups, the evolving organization structures, some implementation direction on violent acts, activity plans and other activities found to be related to violent radical groups must be disseminated to the society as warnings and to create rejection from the society; 5. To create rehabilitation and re-education to terrorists, provisions to regulate an institutions responsible as executor is needed, in which the said institution must have capable officers who are patient and loyal with their duties, using cross sector discipline, with adequate supporting facilities and budget. Closing
Terrorism in Indonesia is closely related with the development of principle and radicalization of Islam. Overcoming this is not sufficient by only enforcing law, but rehabilitation and enlightenment of terror perpetrators is necessary to align their perceived violent ideology and return them to real world, respecting and tolerating diversity and differences. Understanding on the root cause of radicalism that ends in violent acts and terrorism acts will be beneficial to overcome radicalism problem as well as to overcome terrorism problems everywhere in the world. Therefore, handling terrorism cannot be conducted independently by one country only. It is undeniable that good cooperation, internationally, regionally and among countries, is necessary to counter the problem of terrorism.