INDONESIA HOLDS JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH DISBANDMENT IN SOLO, FORMER MEMBERS TAKE LOYALTY OATH

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- Indonesia’s National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) and the police’s Special Detachment 88 Anti-Terror (Densus 88) organised a declaration announcing the disbandment of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), a radical extremist group, in Solo, Central Java, on Saturday (Dec 21).

The event marked the 45th and final activity in a series of similar events held across the country, BNPT Commissioner General of Police Eddy Hartono said in a statement.

Former JI members also took an Oath of Loyalty to Indonesia’s unity, reinforcing the country’s core principles of Pancasila, democracy, and human rights.

Eddy emphasised the importance of continued support for former JI members, including guidance, training, and activities such as national insight and entrepreneurship.

“This will allow them to live in peace and harmony within our diverse community,” he said at the event, held at the Convention Hall, Terminal Tirtonadi.

Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo expressed gratitude to all parties involved in embracing former members of JI, stressing the importance of a soft approach in the deradicalisation programme.

The declaration was also warmly received by a former member of JI, Siswanto, who called for an end to extremist actions.

He explained that the process, which began with the first declaration on June 30, 2024, has now reached its 45th activity, and hopes that this will be the final step towards full integration with the state and society, ultimately eradicating extremism.

“We also hope that those who are still outside will soon realise the need to join us,” he added.

Founded in the early 1990s with the aim of establishing an “Islamic state” across Southeast Asia, JI became infamous for its involvement in the deadly Bali Bombings on Oct 12, 2002.

-- BERNAMA