Dozens Of Suspected Terrorists Arrested After The Makassar Bombing, DPR Leadership Reminded Deradicalization

JAKARTA - Deputy Speaker of the DPR, Azis Syamsuddin, appreciates the Densus 88 Anti-terror Team at the Police Headquarters for successfully arresting a number of suspected terrorists in several areas.

According to Azis, if the suspected terrorist was related to the suicide bombing in front of the Makassar Cathedral Church, South Sulawesi, the DPR would ask for an investigation.

"Convey clearly to the public, the chronology and its relation, so there is no confusion of information and data," said Azis Syamsuddin, Tuesday, March 30.

The deputy chairman of the Golkar Party appealed to all parties to be able to hold back and cool down the situation. Moreover, blaming each other and looking for weaknesses between one institution and another.

Azis also reminded us about de-radicalization as an effort to control acts of terrorism in the country.

"Our big homework is in front of our eyes. Deedicalization is considered very necessary to be revived in the educational environment, including in Islamic da'wah institutions throughout the archipelago," said Azis.

The DPR leadership in the field of political, legal and security coordination added that the acts of terrorism that occurred at the Makassar Cathedral Church were a fact that raised concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because the seeds of terrorism and radicalization are still growing in the archipelago.

"Of course the role of educational institutions, including preaching institutions in the regions, must be more focused. Of course the parameter is the quality of education quality that we must improve," said Azis.

Previously, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said that after the suicide bombing at the gate of the Cathedral Church, Makassar City, 13 suspected terrorists were arrested in four provinces.

The 13 suspected terrorists were arrested in the areas of Makassar, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Jakarta and Bekasi.

"In Makassar, Densus arrested four people, the initials US, SAS, MR and AA," said Listyo Sigit.

Sigit said the four suspected terrorists had links to the two suicide bombers at the Makassar Cathedral Church L and YSM, namely the study group at Mutiara Villa.

"They played a role with L and YSM (both suicide bombers), namely together in one study group Villa Mutiara," said Sigit.

Sigit said that the four suspected terrorists who were arrested in Makassar played a role in providing doctrine and preparing jihad plans as well as buying explosives to prepare suicide bombs.

The Densus 88 Anti-Terror Team also carried out searches and arrests in two areas, namely Condet, East Jakarta and Bekasi, West Java.

From these two locations, the Densus 88 Anti-Terror Team secured four terrorist suspects with the initials, namely A, AH, AJ and BS.

Apart from securing the perpetrators, the Densus 88 Anti-Terror Team also found evidence of bombs and other explosives.

"The police found five active bombs. Type of fuse bomb, 5 large jars containing explosive chemicals, sulfur, flashfolder and thermometer. These materials will be processed into explosives. The number is 4 kg, then another explosive material with the amount of 1.5 kg was found. "said Sigit.

The Densus 88 Anti-Terror Team also moved to the Mataram area, NTB. At that location another person was secured, so that a total of five suspected terrorists from the Jamaah Ansharut Daullah (JAD) group had been arrested.

"A total of five perpetrators have been secured, while continuing to be developed, they can be secured in the near future," said the National Police Chief.