Wiranto Stabbing Gains International Attention: Observer

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Intelligence and security observer Stanislaus Riyanta said the stabbing of Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Wiranto, has a big impact on the country's security measures. The incident will also gain international attention, as the victim is a high-ranking state official.

The incident, he said, shows the vulnerability of Indonesia's security measures for its ministers.

"This will be the spotlight of many, including international parties," Stanislaus told Tempo on Friday, October 11.

Previously, the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) confirmed that the attackers were identified as Syahrial Alamsyah a.k.a. Abu Rara. He is part of the terrorist network Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) in Bekasi, which is affiliated with ISIS.

Stanislaus also believes that the attack was indeed carried out by groups related to ISIS, following the arrest of Bekasi JAD's member, Amir, last week.

"The attack pattern and target also lead to that used by ISIS," he said.

The minister was attacked when visiting the Mathla'ul Anwar Islamic Boarding School in Labuan, Banten, yesterday. Aside from Wiranto, the Menes police chief was also stabbed.   

Wiranto was wounded in the abdomen and received treatment at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital in Jakarta.

Stanislaus said there needs to be a thorough evaluation regarding the security measures for state officials after the minister's stabbing. The evaluation would be in the form of improving the response mechanisms for potential threats.

"In the context of adjusting to potential threats that can be obtained from intelligence reports," he said.

Egi Adyatama