President Jokowi Orders National Police Chief To Dismantle MIT Network Leader Ali Kalora

President Jokowi delivers a statement regarding terror in Sigi (Youtube of the Presidential Secretariat)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ordered the National Police Chief General Idham Azis to dismantle the East Indonesian Mujahidin (MIT) network to its roots. This order was conveyed by Jokowi after the terror incident in Sigi, Central Sulawesi, which killed four people and burned six residents' houses.

"I have ordered the police chief to thoroughly investigate the perpetrators' network and expose the network to its roots," said Jokowi in a video uploaded to the Presidential Secretariat YouTube account, Monday, November 30.

Jokowi also ordered the Police and TNI to maintain security and increase vigilance after the massacre of one family. This is because Indonesia will not tolerate acts of terrorism.

"Once again I emphasize that there is no place in our homeland for terrorism," he stressed.

He advised the public to remain calm and maintain unity while remaining alert to acts of terrorism.

"To all people in all corners of the country to stay calm and maintain unity but also remain vigilant," Jokowi ordered.

"We must unite against terrorism," he added.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD said the government would continue to take firm action against this group through the Tinombala Operations Task Force. This task force, he continued, had been ordered to carry out the pursuit and siege of the MIT group.

"The government has also ordered the security apparatus to strengthen and tighten guard and security against citizens from the threat of terrorism and those who want to disrupt security and order in the region," he said.

The former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) also emphasized that the murder of four residents and the burning of houses in Sigi, Central Sulawesi were not related to ethnicity and religion.

Mahfud asked that the violence committed by the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) led by Ali Kalora was not linked to a particular religion.

"This incident is not a tribal war let alone a religion. This incident was carried out by a criminal group called MIT which is led by Ali Kalora and cannot be said to represent a particular religion," Mahfud said in a press conference at his office, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Monday, November 30.

He emphasized that the actions taken by Ali Kalora, cs were actually an attempt to carry out terror and create an atmosphere that was not conducive to chaos and division.

Not only that, in order to strengthen the Tinombala Task Force, which is currently doing their job to pursue and surround MIT led by Ali Kalora, the TNI will also dispatch their special forces.

TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto said this special force would take firm action against the perpetrators of acts of terrorism perpetrated by this group. The special forces will depart on Tuesday, December 1 tomorrow through Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base.

"The TNI will support the Police. Tomorrow morning, special forces will depart from Halim to Palu and be assigned to Poso to strengthen the troops that already existed in Poso," Hadi said at a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Office, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, Monday, November 30th.

It is not yet known how many troops the TNI will send. These troops are certain to support the arrest operation which had previously been dispatched in stages.

Hadi hoped that this operation would run smoothly so that Ali Kalora, cs could be caught and immediately tried according to the crimes they had committed.

"So what is expected by all Indonesian people, that the MIT group must be pursued and until we can do it," he said.

"I ask for prayers that this operation can run smoothly, we have sent support for operations in stages. With this operational support, I am sure that the MIT group that committed crimes against innocent residents will be immediately caught," he added.