Preventing Terror Acts Is Considered Successful, "Lone Wolf" Is Worth Watching

"They are impulsive, emotional, take action out of superficial solidarity and jihad," said Khairul regarding "lone wolves".

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

A terrorism suspect kissed the Red and White flag after reciting the oath of loyalty to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia in the Class IIA Narcotics Prison in Gunung Sindur, Bogor Regency, on Thursday (1/6/2023).

The arrest of the terrorist network by the police is considered to have prevented potential acts of terrorism in Indonesia. By remaining alert to organized terror networks, potential threats are assessed to come from individual terror actors (lone wolves).

In mid-April 2024, the Special Detachment 88 Anti-Terrorist of the Indonesian National Police arrested eight terrorist suspects in the Poso region, Central Sulawesi. According to the Head of Public Relations Bureau of the Police Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, the eight individuals were part of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) network.

The eight individuals are identified by their initials as G, DS, SK, A, MWDS, DK, H, and RS. Some of them are said to have undergone physical and paramilitary training in Poso, Central Sulawesi. Within the JI organizational structure, they served in various fields, such as doctrine or preaching, treasurer, recruitment, and education.

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According to Trunoyudo, one of the terrorist suspects has a connection with an organization in charge of fundraising, namely Syam Organizer (SO). Syam Organizer is a charity foundation affiliated with JI that is tasked with raising funds. "This issue is still being investigated," said Trunoyudo on Friday (19/4/2024).

KOMPAS/NORBERTUS ARYA DWIANGGA MARTIAR

Head of the Public Information Bureau, National Police Public Relations Division, Brigadier General (Pol) Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko.

Terrorism observer Al Chaidar is of the view that the arrest of the 8 suspected terrorists from the JI group shows JI's closeness to Jamaah Ansharud Tauhid (JAT) which has occurred in the past. Meanwhile JAT is traditionally part of the East Indonesian Mujahideen (MIT) based in Poso, Central Sulawesi, so JAT is actually a metamorphosis of JI.

"This arrest proves that JI is still active and still influencing MIT. Meanwhile, MIT during the period of 2014-2020 still declared its affiliation to ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria)," said Al Chaidar.

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This arrest proves that JI is still active and still influencing MIT.

Regarding the arrested JI group, according to Al Chaidar, those who remain are currently in the second or third circle of the organization. Meanwhile, the first circle has already been arrested by law enforcement. The roles and abilities of the second and third circles are considered not very significant.

However, according to Al Chaidar, what needs to be watched out for at the moment is the reaction of certain groups, such as radicals, fundamentalists, or intolerant groups, towards the crisis in Palestine. They are uncoordinated but can respond to events that occur, especially in Palestine.

"They can create unexpected reactions and that makes it difficult for authorities to detect who will do it because it could be someone who becomes a sudden terrorist," said Al Chaidar.

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Similarly, Khairul Fahmi, a defense and security analyst from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies, believes that the arrest of the eight terrorist suspects from JI shows the continued activity of terrorist networks. However, security forces have managed to detect and prevent any terrorist actions before they could be carried out.

HUMAS KEMENKUMHAM JATIM

A number of terrorism convicts arrived at the Surabaya Class 1 Prison in Porong District, Sidoarjo, Thursday (7/12/2023).

According to Khairul, the activity of terrorist networks in Indonesia is not related to the escalation of conflicts occurring in the Middle East region. However, the crisis in Palestine cannot be ignored as the event garners significant attention in Indonesia.

"(This is) because it is related to support and solidarity for Palestine and associated with hatred towards the United States and its allies," he said.

Currently, continued Khairul, terror networks such as ISIS and JI are still considered to be cautious about carrying out acts of terror by taking advantage of the crisis occurring in Palestine. They are considered to still be considering the pros and cons of carrying out acts of terror in the current situation.

Also read: Stay Aware of Terrorism

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

One of the terrorist prisoners undergoes an eye health examination at the Polda Metro Jaya Drug Detention Center, Jakarta, Wednesday (29/3/2023).

Single act of terror

Therefore, something to be wary of is the possibility of a single terror act by a person who is not affiliated with any terror network and does not accept the call to carry out amaliyah. These people have the potential to carry out acts of terror in the name of solidarity and the shallow concept of jihad.

”Lone wolves (individual terror perpetrators), right, they are impulsive, emotional, carry out actions because of shallow solidarity and jihad. "They are more difficult to detect," said Khairul.

Also read: Between the Increase in Terrorism Recidivism and the Threat of "Lonewolves"

“When they left, they didn't understand how to use weapons or make bombs. After returning, they became people who understood. "This is something you need to be careful of because it could create new security problems, just like before," said Khairul.