Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Indonesia: Adapting to a Changed Threat”
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“Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Indonesia: Adapting to a Changed Threat” An Open Forum with Shari Villarosa Deputy Coordinator for Regional Affairs, US State Department Office of the Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism And Dr. Julie Chernov Hwang Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Goucher College November 17, 2011 Many changes have occurred in the International Relations at Goucher leadership structure of terrorist activities College. in Indonesia since the incidence of the 2002 Bali bombing, the twin bombing of Our panel discussed (1) the United Marriott and Ritz-Carlton in 2009, and States engagement with Indonesia in other attacks. These include both the counter-terrorism activities, (2) the perceived structural changes and the changing trends in terror methods and degree of fragmentation in the terrorist other aspects of terrorism and counter- movement. As such, measures to counter terrorism, and (3) the current status of radicalization and terrorism have since Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) and its affiliates changed and become better understood. and splinters in Indonesia. On November 17, 2011, USINDO Shari Villarosa began with an overview hosted an open forum on the nature of of the evolution of terrorist threats in terrorism in Indonesia and the response Indonesia. Prior to 2002 Bali bombing, of American and Indonesian counter- JI was led by people who were trained in terrorism strategy, with Shari Villarosa, Afghanistan, including those with links the Deputy Coordinator for Regional to Al Qaeda (AQ) and their global anti- Affairs at the US State Department Western ideology. Since then, their Office of the Coordinator for Counter- ranks have depleted due to internal Terrorism, and Dr. Julie Chernov struggle, imprisonment, and/or death. Hwang, an Assistant Professor in the The organization splintered between Department of Political Science and those who opposed violence (or focused www.usindo.org - 1 - Villarosa and Chernov Hwang, 11-17-11 more on proselytization) and those who threats. Foreign targets are also not off were interested in pursuing violent limits. A prominent terrorist, Abu Umar, methods. was arrested earlier this month, and six alleged members of his group were also Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT), arrested in Jakarta, suspected of planning including some JI splinter groups, gained a bombing of the Singapore embassy in prominence, not as a group but as a Jakarta. Some other people from the network of like-minded extremists. same group were also detained in Sabah, However, these groups have also Malaysia, for planning attacks in weakened after the Indonesian police Malaysia and the Philippines. raided their training camp in Aceh in February 2010. The discovery of the With regard to counter-terrorism camp led to the prosecution and activities, Villarosa commended conviction of Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, a Indonesia’s strategy and efforts to founder of JI, along with several others counter radicalization and terrorism. (some cases are still in process). Indonesia’s commitment has enabled dedicated police officers and prosecutors Bombing of such tourists areas as Bali to work together since 2006 and and hotels that cater to foreigners, successfully prosecuted 152 cases, with Villarosa argued, have also evolved. 112 cases still pending (including Aceh While this development should not be training camp cases). Indonesia also taken to suggest that foreigners are no continues to prosecute Umar Patek, one longer a target, recent trends indicate of the Bali bombing suspects, who was that smaller groups tended to focus more recently extradited from Pakistan and on targeting local interests (letter bombs will be put on trial early next year. targeted to security officials and Indonesia recently adopted a civilian led prominent moderate religious leaders, approach, through the establishment of suicide bombing of a police mosque and BNPT (counter-terrorism coordinating a church, and attempted pipe bombing of body) to combine efforts by police, a church). military, judiciary system, and civilians in sustainable counter-terrorism According to Villarosa, the shift in the activities. This corresponds to the focus and methods of terrorist threats Obama administration’s approach to could represent (a) a reaction against the counter-terrorism. considerable success of the police in capturing terrorist suspects, (b) a Villarosa emphasized that the US reaction against the loss of leaders with strongly support the rule of law approach sophisticated training and attack Indonesia is taking and have noted its planning expertise, or (c) a resurgence of success. However, some improvements Darul Islam (DI), a strain of thought are still needed. Court sentences have seeking to establish an Islamic state that been relatively short; they should predated Indonesian independence. The commensurate with the crime. The trial degradation of terrorist groups by of Ba’asyir in the Aceh camp case also Indonesian authorities does not demonstrates a need for appropriate necessarily suggest that individual legislation on training activity and terrorists no longer pose dangerous material supports for terrorist www.usindo.org - 2 - Villarosa and Chernov Hwang, 11-17-11 organization. Indonesia recognizes this pluralism and religious tolerance. In the loophole and tries to create legislation to short term, the goal is to play a address it to be consistent with the constructive role in de-radicalization international principles and guidelines. efforts through working directly with the department of correction and local The law against terror financing also NGOs. needs to be strengthened. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF, a global Villarosa also highlighted religious standard setting body to protect the violence (distinct from but related to international financial system from terrorism), seen as rising in Indonesia. money laundering or terror finance risk) The International Crisis Group recently identified shortfalls in Indonesia and reported that religious tolerance was recommended actions to address some of challenged and increasingly strained. the deficiencies. These include The recent Ambon clash raised fear of adequately criminalizing the financing of the return of communal violence. While terrorist groups and individuals, communal tension remains, the grass- establishing and implementing adequate root peace advocates and local officials procedure to identify and freeze terrorist managed to keep violence from growing. assets, and amending the law to fully implement the 1999 international In conclusion, Villarosa emphasized that convention for the suppression of the Indonesia is now seen as a leader in financing of terrorism. counter-terrorism issues in regional and multilateral fora. Indonesia is a founding Another important area for action is member of the recently launched Global countering violence extremism to dry up Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF), and the pool of recruits for terrorist presently co-chairing Southeast Asia organizations. This can be done in working group with Australia. Indonesia various ways, including de-legitimizing has shown remarkable political will, violence, countering the message that both of the government and the people, justifies violence (by important to develop an effective strategy and interlocutors who can appeal to the adapted to the changing threat of potential recruits), and providing terrorism. positive constructive alternatives. Following Villarosa’s presentation, Dr. The radicalization issue received new Julie Chernov Hwang shared her recent focus when Aceh camp members were research on the disengagement of identified as former prisoners who Indonesia’s jihadis and discussed why JI became radicalized in prison when they is now fragmented and cannot retain a come in contact with convicted common vision ( jihadi is used as it is the terrorists. According to Villarosa, NGOs preferred term used by the people have also become involved in mobilizing interviewed). In 2002, JI possibly was a society against violent extremists. One hierarchical structured organization with international NGO has a long-term goal a central command, with a possible link in establishing an environment where to AQ, and sought to establish an Islamic government and civil society can state in Indonesia. Today, we have a exercise their ability to advance www.usindo.org - 3 - Villarosa and Chernov Hwang, 11-17-11 clearer picture. JI today is a cell of its Under Abdullah Sungkar, JI’s dakwah former self. also meant socialization and education about the method and approach used to Dr. Chernov Hwang posed the following support the goal of Islamist state before critical questions to understand the revolution can occur. Many JI members Salafi jihadi landscape in Indonesia that today believe Nordin Top’s action is has shifted dramatically in the past counterproductive. It risks alienating decade: (1) what is the current status of many people from the goal of JI; (2) how to best understand the establishing an Islamic state. They fragmentation that is happening and why believe Indonesia is not an appropriate they keep happening; (3) why the jihadis place for jihad, it is not the time, and disengaged from violence and what were bombing is counterproductive. This view the motivational factors; and (4) what is is championed by Abu Rustam and the implication of this shift to our widely supported by many. understanding of terrorism and counter- terrorism. Since Bin Laden’s 1998 fatwa, many JI splinters emerged. Their