Police Investigate PPATK Findings on Suspected Terrorism Funding

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Police (Polri) Headquarter is set to investigate findings made by the Financial Transaction Reports an Analysis Center (PPATK) in relation to suspected fund transfer by ISIS member Bahrun Naim through financial technology (fintech) services.

"PPATK's finding is a fact, the Police is currently conducting an investigation, doing cross-checks with previous terrorism cases," said Sr. Comr. Martinus Sitompul, Chief of Public Information of the National Police Headquarter on Tuesday, January 10, 2017.

Martinus asserted that fund transfer can be conducted through various methods, including banking services, money delivery services, and using virtual currencies through cyberspace.

In relation to PPATK's findings, Martinus said that the Police will coordinate with Bank Indonesia to monitor fund transfer through virtual currency to identify suspected terrorism funding.

However, Martinus admitted that the Police have no authority to immediately block a fund transfer suspected to be intended for terrorism funding.

"Anyone suspected as part of [a terrorist] group will be recorded, but cannot be [blocked] without evidence of unlawful acts, so we need to prove it first. For example, somebody sends some money, which later used to buy explosives, that can be [punished]. But without enough evidence, we cannot block [fund transfer], unless the sender have been indicated to be involved in acts of terrorism," Martinus explained.

ANTARA