BNPT Classifies Abu Bakar Baasyir as a 'Hardcore Terrorist'

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Chief Comm. Gen. Suhardi Alius recalled the agency’s programs upon deradicalizing convicted terrorists  such as Abu Bakar Baasyir, who is the leader of Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid and is often linked to numerous terror acts in Indonesia.

According to Suhardi, Abu Bakar Baasyir refused to participate in BNPT’s deradicalization program because he is considered to be a hardcore terrorist convict by authorities.

“[Baasyir is] hardcore, he completely refuses to participate because it goes against his views,” said Suhardi at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday, January 24.

Read: Jusuf Kalla on Australia Objecting Abu Bakar Baasyir's Release

BNPT is also a member of Indonesia’s terrorist-release assessment team that comprises of prison management, attorney general’s office, and the anti-terror police force Densus 88. They are tasked to monitor the mindset of convicted terrorists.

“We monitor these people, what their ideology is and sometimes we would send a team of psychologists to determine whether they are truthful or not,” he said.

Despite the refection from Abu Bakar Baasyir, many other convicted terrorists are still willing to participate in the deradicalization program.

Earlier reports state that Abu Bakar Baasyir is already eligible for parole after undergoing 2/3 of his complete prison sentence. However, Baasyir refused to file for parole because of one particular requirement of having to sign a pledge to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), Pancasila (five state ideologies), and the 1945 Constitution (UUD).

RYAN DWIKY ANGGRIAWAN