Theory of Engineered Terror

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Azyumardi Azra

In the wake of the suicide bombings in Surabaya on May 13 and 14, rumors spread across social media platforms that the terrible attacks were “engineered” by the National Police or the government. Numerous viral social media posts said that reports of the attacks were “engineered” to “boost the government’s terrorism eradication budget” and to divert attention from the #2019GantiPresiden (#2019ChangePresident) hashtag,

In my years of research into extremism, radicalism and terrorism in Indonesia, the Middle East and South Asia, especially following the first Bali bombing on Oct. 12, 2002), I feel compelled to reaffirm that this “engineered terror theory” that overlaps conspiracy theories is clearly absurd and nonsensical. Nevertheless, many hold such absurdities close to heart.

Through common sense and sober thinking, it would be difficult to believe that the National Police and the government are capable of conspiring to “engineer terror” that victimizes so many citizens and threatens national unity. In this era of openness since mass reform 20 years ago, there is almost nothing that the National Police, the government or any agency can hide. Unfortunately, misperception and prejudice exists not only among ordinary people, but also among educated people.

First, three lecturers of a renowned university in Surabaya made statements on social media that the terror attacks in their city were engineered to divert public attention. In response, the university’s rector clarified that the statements did not represent the university’s views, and that the three lecturers would be legally processed soon.

Soon afterwards, the police detained another lecturer in Medan after her social media post, that the terror in Surabaya was an effort to divert public attention, went viral. The police and airline management questioned the pilot of the national flag carrier, after he stated on social media that the Surabaya terror attacks were “engineered with certain actors pulling the strings”.

These incidents are not exclusive to urban areas. Just look at the case of the junior high school principal in North Kayong regency, West Kalimantan, who was dismissed after posting on social media that the Surabaya terror attacks“were engineered”.

Such cases seem to be merely the tip of an iceberg–what is unseen beneath the surface is far bigger than expected. In the age of social media, it seems that misguided views that certain situations and incidents in Indonesia are simply the “engineered” products of a “conspiracy” are spreading out of control.

The Communications and Informatics Ministry has made huge efforts to counter hoaxes, hate speech and attempts to incite horizontal conflicts. However, these efforts have left much to be desired, leaving various theories of “engineered terror” to reign unchecked on social media.

In response to this unhealthy situation, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has been moved to issue Fatwa No. 24/2017 on social media use. In the fatwa, the MUI bans spreading slander, hate speech, discrimination based on ethnic, religious, racial and intergroup (SARA) sentiments, bullying, inciting conflicts, and similar acts. However, it seems the fatwa has also been ineffective. More intensive dissemination is required to raise people’s awareness on how to be civilized on social media.

It is important to note that the examples I included above involved civil servants. This is absurd. How can civil servants distrust the National Police and the government? This is worrying. Various researches have shown a tendency among civil servants (including lecturers, teachers and school administrators) and employees of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to believe in conspiracy theories. It is a public secret that many civil servants and SOE employees are contaminated by extreme and radical ideas and practices.

A survey by Convey Indonesia and Syarif  Hidayatullah State Islamic University’s Center of Islamic and Social Studies (PPIM), which involved 264 teachers and 58 lecturers in 34 provinces from Sept. 1 to Oct. 7, 2017, called this phenomenon “fire in the chaff”. Over 62 percent of lecturers and 54 percent of teachers believed that Muslims were victims of oppression. This view may indicate their anger at and suspicion of those they deemed as “oppressors”, namely the police and the government.

Even worse, these lecturers and teachers serve as active agents in spreading radical ideas and practices. They often use religious institutions or houses of worship as platforms for spreading ideas and practices that undermine the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, which has provided them and their families with livelihoods.

In response to this worrying phenomenon, all parties responsible for training civil servants and SOE employees should implement a series of countermeasures. Many studies provide recommendations for improvement.

Most importantly among these recommendations is the need to provide training the ideas of nationhood, statehood and the relationship between religiosity and nationalism. Of no less importance is offering discourse to counter the massive spread of radical religious views and practices. These views and practices have infiltrated government agencies, SOEs and mainstream Muslim organizations.

Without comprehensive and systemic counter-discourses, radical and terroristic religious views and practices will continue to grip the minds of civil servants, SOE employees and members of Muslim organizations. This will lead to the continued prevalence of “engineered terror” and conspiracy theories.

Azyumardi Azra, Professor at Syarif  Hidayatullah State Islamic University; Culture Commission member, AIPI