TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Military commander Gen. Moeldoko has banned the Islamic State of Iraw and Syria (ISIS) from developing in Indonesia as they could pose a threat to Indonesia.
“The country could be in danger if ISIS flourishes,” Moeldoko told reporters on Monday, adding that ISIS’s ideology could divide Indonesia and harm pluralism in Indonesia.
Moeldoko said ISIS could potentially lead to separatism if ISIS implements its ideology in Indonesia. “We will have further talks about this later,” he said.
A recruitment video uploaded by ISIS in Indonesian language calling for Muslims in Indonesia to join the group’s struggle previously appeared on web. Some supporters of a caliphate state in Indonesia responded to the call. Hundreds of people in Solo have declared their support for ISIS and supports from other cities have also echoed.
Agus Surya Bakti, deputy head of prevention, protection and deradicalization at the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), said he had detected infiltration of ISIS’s ideology before the group was declared in Middle East. Agus said ISIS infiltrated Indonesia through the Internet as Indonesians can easily access information in the Internet ranging from news, articles to videos about ISIS. “There are even some that can communicate with ISIS members in Middle East,” said Agus.
INDRA WIJAYA