Using the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) special troops is being considered in addressing the recent terrorist acts. At the same time, solidarity and elite statesmanship are also needed.
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JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The government is considering the possibility of reactivating the TNI’s Joint Special Operations Command to tackle the recent acts of terror.
At the same time, the solidarity and spirit of statesmanship are also needed among the political elite in addressing the recent situation; a solidarity which, among others, can be demonstrated by not issuing a statement of accusation or blame, is not only important to maintain the spirit in combating terrorism. However, it will also maintain social unity of and in the end, also the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia in facing the recent situation.
This is badly needed now to deal with the ongoing terrorist acts. In the last one on Wednesday (5/16/2018), five suspected terrorists attacked the Riau Police headquarters on Jl. Sudirman in Pekanbaru City, Riau. In this incident, Second Insp. Auzar died after he was hit by a car a terrorist drove. Two policemen and two journalists were injured. Meanwhile, of the five suspected terrorists, four were killed and another fled.
"I urge people to stay calm and not panic. Leave all of them to the TNI, Polri (the National Police), the local government and all stakeholders. Insya Allah (God willing), everything will be resolved," said National Police deputy chief Comr. Gen. Syafruddin after Auzar’s funeral.
Syafruddin suspected that the Pekanbaru incident was related to the riot that occurred at the Mako Brimob in Depok and the suicide bombings of three churches in Surabaya and the Surabaya Police headquarters.
In its effort to eradicate terrorist networks, the police arrested three suspected terrorists in Tangerang City, Banten, on Wednesday. Two of the suspects, identified as MC and G, were arrested at their rented house on Jl. Gempol Raya in Pinang, Tangerang City, and the third was an employee of a kebab business bearing the initial A. After his arrest, police took A to his residence on Jl. Delima in the Kunciran Mas Permai housing complex, Tangerang City.
Approved
To combat terrorism, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko said President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo approved the involvement of the TNI’s elite troops. "The TNI’s Joint Special Operations Command (Koopssusgab) has been approved by the President and reinstated again by the TNI Commander (Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto)," said Moeldoko.
Koopssusgab combines the special counterterrorism troops of the three military branches: the Army, Navy and Air Force. The joint elite unit was formed to combat terrorism on June 9, 2015 by Moeldoko, who then served as the TNI Commander.
"The troops will be involved when the spectrum is headed towar the medium to high levels. The intensity now is medium," said Moeldoko.
Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto said the issue of terrorism must be faced by all components of the nation together. "We have to be in harmony. We must work together to overcome them," he said.
Prabowo has ordered his party cadres to be wise in responding to the recent terrorist acts. Concrete steps could also be taken by helping others in their respective environments. Gerindra also supported the accelerated ratification of the Terrorism Bill. According to Prabowo, there was no longer any substance in the bill that his party questioned. "We\'ve agreed. We support the Terrorism Bill," said Prabowo.
Executive Board chairman Rumadi Achmad of the Nahdlatul Ulama’s Human Resource Research and Development Institute said now was the time for the political elite to unite. "Now is not the time to take advantage of the terrorist incidents for the electoral contest," he said.
Gusdurian Network Coordinator Alissa Wahid added, "It is not good when political power struggles are used as an approach in responding to this situation."