ISIS` Bahrun Naim is Now Recruiting Migrant Workers: BNPT

TEMPO.CO, Surabaya - The National Counterterroism Agency (BNPT) Director for Prevention Brig. Gen. Hamli said that Bahrun Naim-led terrorist group is now recruiting Indonesian migrant workers through social media.

“Most are Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong. Also in Singapore, Malaysia and Japan, but not as many as those in Hong Kong,” Hamli said yesterday in a workshop on radicalism in East Java held by the Wahid Foundation in Surabaya.

Hamli noted that Bahrun Naim often approaches prospective terrorists via Facebook by posting radical ideas. He would then contact the person via networking apps and give them more radical ideas.

After taking a pledge of allegiance (baiat), Bahrun would meet the target and being given the task to carry out terror attacks. “Some terror suspects who have been arrested, including those who had planned an attack on the State Palace, are former migrant workers recruited by Bahrun Naim,” Hamli said.

Hamli has called on families of migrant workers to call them often to keep those living abroad company. He said that migrant workers are prone to be recruited by terrorist rings as they often feel lonely. “In such a condition, it’s easy for them to accept radical ideas,” he said.

East Java administration official Edy Supriyanto said that intelligence reported that Madura and the so-called Tapal Kuda region (Pasuruan, Probolinggo, Lumajang, Jember, Situbondo, Bondowoso, and Banyuwangi) are relatively safe from infiltration by terrorists since locals still hold religious leaders in high regard.

Meanwhile, regions that are prone to extremism are Surabaya, Gresik, Malang and Lamongan. “There are recruitment bases in the regions. Nevertheless, we are trying to anticipate it,” he said.

KUKUH S. WIBOWO