The National Police’s counter terrorism squad, Detachment 88, otherwise known as Densus 88, arrested six suspected terrorist over the weekend in West Java, Central Java and East Java. The group are reportedly affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS). The National Police (POLRI) Chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti told the press that the group had prepared a bomb attack for this upcoming end of the year holidays. [Continue reading]
Terrorism
Security Brief: Minor Explosion in Central Jakarta
NewsroomA low explosion occurred at the Tanah Abang district, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (April 8). The explosion occurred within close proximity to the Tanah Abang police station. The Indonesian National Police (POLRI) is currently investigating the blast. [Continue reading]
The Danger of Propaganda Websites
NewsroomAbdurrahman Ayyub, the former Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) leader for Australia, New Zealand and Papua told us on Sunday (April 5) that websites containing hateful speech might not directly impact Indonesia today, but it would certainly haunt us in the future. If the content of a website threatens national security, the content/website has to be blocked. Such is the argument for censorship. [Continue reading]
Security Briefing: Hunting Santoso
NewsroomThe Indonesian Military (TNI) is conducting a joint military exercise for two weeks, with 3,200 officers from the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), Indonesian Air force (TNI AU) and also Indonesian Army (TNI AD). The started on Monday (March 30) and would end on April 15. The official line is that the training is held to test the readiness of military officers in conducting join military operations. [Continue reading]
Government to Block More Hate Speech Websites
NewsroomThe presence of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) sympathizers has alarmed the Indonesian authorities. There are worries that ISIS propaganda would spread and eventually spark terrorist activities. The worry is not unfounded. ISIS have been aggressively promoting their cause through the internet. This is exactly where the authorities are now focused on, the decision has been made. The Government now patrols the net and actively seek to block propaganda websites. [Continue reading]
Security Briefing: A Déjà Vu
NewsroomMore than 500 Indonesian citizens reportedly left to Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). That said, on March 25, the Indonesian National Police (POLRI) confirmed that only 159 Indonesians had left to Syria for the cause. Eleven of them have returned to Indonesia and the authorities have arrested three. [Continue reading]
Security Briefing: Chep Hernawan, and the Return of Indonesian ISIS Fighters
NewsroomLast Saturday (March 21), the head of the hard-line group Islamic Reform Movement (Garis) Chep Hernawan was arrested with the charge of committing fraud. Chep allegedly embezzled 150 million Rupiah in 2011. Prior to his arrest, Chep made a revelatory statement. He claimed that he’s the financier behind Indonesians joining the State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). But who is Chep Hernawan? [Continue reading]
Security Briefing: Police Arrested Self-Proclaimed ISIS Financier
NewsroomThe head of the hard-line group Islamic Reform Movement (Garis) Chep Hermawan made a revelatory statement last week. He claimed that he’s the financiers behind Indonesians joining the State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The Indonesian National Police (POLRI), however, believe that Chep was lying and that he had simply sought to create a media sensation. POLRI said that they had investigated Chep and found no proof supporting his claim. [Continue reading]
Indonesians Arrested in Turkey
NewsroomMore surprising news came from Turkey. Turkish authorities reportedly arrested 16 Indonesian citizens in the city of Gaziantep while the latter were trying to cross the border between Turkey and Syria. According to the jawapos.com, the Turkish authorities communicated this matter after the disappearance of 16 Indonesian citizens at the Ataturk International airport earlier this month. [Continue reading]
The Threat from Self-Radicalization in Indonesia
NewsroomOn Monday (Dec. 15) Australians were shocked by a hostage-taking situation that took place at a cafe in Sydney, Australia. The hostage taker was identified as Man Haron Monis, a supposedly troubled, self-radicalized person with a deep history of violence. It was a tragedy that sparked a discussion on self-radicalization and its threat to national security. This led our thoughts closer to home as we began pondering about self-radicalization in Indonesia. [continue reading]
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