Reading Police's Chance In Tracing Other Extremist Groups From Munarman's Arrest

Munarman (Wardhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - Tuesday, April 27, 2021, Densus 88 ambushed former General Secretary of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Munarman at his residence, Modern Hills Housing, Cinangka, Pamulang, South Tangerang.

A researcher from the Institute for Security and Security Studies (ISESS) Bambang Rukminto said Munarman's arrest was a door for the police to look for other extremists.

"Munarman's arrest is an entrance because the evidence and then the allegations of ISIS and others already exist," Bambang said on Sunday, May 2.

This is based on Munarman's allegation of moving other people to commit criminal acts of terrorism, having bad consensus to commit criminal acts of terrorism, and withholding information about criminal acts of terrorism.

This allegation was strengthened by the presence of Munarman in the allegations of the terrorism suspects in Makassar, South Sulawesi, and within the Jakarta State Islamic University (UIN) several years ago.

In addition, the Densus 88 Team also conducted a search at the former FPI mass organization office in Petamburan, Central Jakarta. During the search, the team found the explosive raw materials for TATP or triacetone triperoxide, acetone, and nitrates.

With the existence of a few evidence and the arrest of Munarman, it is hoped that the police will be able to find networks for those who have extremism or those that lead to terrorism.

"Everything leads in this direction, how FPI should really be cleaned of extremism elements," said Bambang.

Apart from that, Munarman's arrest was a big breakthrough and also had a deterrent effect on extremist groups in Indonesia, some of which are actually in the FPI.

"Do not let FPI sympathize with the social movements carried out by FPI, then the hatred will increase towards the government, towards the police, and then lead to this extremism which is tried to be avoided by Munarman's arrest," he explained.

Munarman's rebuttal

Prior to his arrest, Munarman once explained that he did not know anything about allegiance in Makassar. Munarman's explanation was conveyed through the Mata Najwa program.

"I (in Makassar) lecture about geostrategy, global geopolitics, how America with the run corporation document carried out counter-terrorism based on two documents, namely treat persistent and then in their own word," said Munarman, quoted from the Mata Najwa YouTube channel.

For that reason, Munarman claims, his deliberate arrival at the ISIS ceremony was not true because he was not informed about it.

"I don't know because I was invited to Makassar, because of my material, I was offered, because my ticket the next day I just returned home," said Munarman.

"At noon they offered, tomorrow there is still more he said, come with me there, I think it's the same, I don't know if there is that, I don't know-how, really don't know," Munarman added.

Former Secretary of FPI Legal Aid, Aziz Yanuar, also questioned the context of the Densus 88 Anti-terror of the Police of the Republic of Indonesia behind the determination of the suspect Munarman. The reason is that it is believed that Munarman was not involved in any terrorist group or network.

"Now if the pledge that is clear to my knowledge is based on Mr. Munarman's own information, that he did not participate. It means that he was only invited to the seminar. After the seminar (was over) there was something he had to take responsibility for," said Aziz.

Apart from that, the news about Munarman who was said to have communicated with suspected terrorists was also highlighted. According to Aziz, there must be strong evidence if Munarman's communication with the suspected terrorist was to discuss matters.

"For example, Mr. Munarman communicates with people and the person is subject to criminal charges, for example, whatever it was, years ago, can it be linked? If it is linked it could endanger the law enforcement process," said Aziz.

"It cannot be based on assumptions, the suspicion on which it was based was just ordinary conversation. Except for discussing the crime," continued Aziz.