JI ‘Now History’ As Indonesia Continues Deradicalisation, Says Counterterror Chief

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, July 1 (Bernama) -- Indonesia’s counterterrorism agency has declared that Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), the al-Qaeda-linked extremist network, is “now history”, marking one year since the group’s formal disbandment.

“JI is part of the past, and it is the state’s responsibility to guide former members,” said National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) head Commissioner General Eddy Hartono at a commemoration event in Sentul, West Java on Monday (June 30).

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Eddy said the government is now focused on post-prison deradicalisation efforts that promote religious moderation, national identity, and entrepreneurship through inter-agency collaboration.

“We will continue evaluating our programmes in coordination with ministries and agencies.

“All our joint efforts have produced good results, and we will keep collaborating,” he said.

The event, themed “A Moment for Reflection and Evaluation”, was organised by the police’s elite counterterrorism unit, Densus 88, which has led Indonesia’s anti-terror operations since the early 2000s, according to BNPT in a statement.

Founded in the 1990s and responsible for deadly attacks including the 2002 Bali bombings, JI formally announced its dissolution at an event in Bogor, West Java, in June last year.

Densus 88 enforcement director Brigadier General Muhammad Tedjo Kusumo reaffirmed continued cooperation with BNPT to reintegrate former members into the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

Former JI leader Para Wijayanto, who once headed the group’s leadership council, urged fellow ex-members to remain loyal to the state.

“I remind everyone of our commitment to transparency and trust, as well as to consistency. These are essential for lasting reintegration,” he said.

-- BERNAMA