Ex-Terror Convict Blast Case in Tasikmalaya Exposes Oversight Gaps

Head of the Criminal Psychology Study Program at the Andi Sapada Institute, Tegar Bimantoro (Ist)

TASIKMALAYA - The explosion allegedly carried out by a former terrorist inmate (ex-prisoner) with the initials A in the Dadaha area, Cihideung District, Tasikmalaya City, West Java, Saturday, July 11 evening, became the focus of academics. The incident, which was triggered by a dispute between street vendors (PKL), was considered to reveal that there were still gaps in the system of supervision of ex-prisoners after undergoing rehabilitation.

Head of the Criminal Psychology Study Program at the Andi Sapada Institute, Tegar Bimantoro, said law enforcement officers needed to thoroughly investigate the origin of ammunition and explosives that were allegedly used by the perpetrators.

According to him, the case is not only related to the criminal act that occurred, but also concerns the effectiveness of the monitoring mechanism for former perpetrators of terrorism.

"The fundamental question that must be dug out at this time is where the suspect got the ammunition and why there was negligence in monitoring," said Tegar, in his statement, Monday, July 13.

He assessed that the government and the security apparatus needed to remap the ex-napiter in various areas, especially to find out whether there were still individuals who had tactical abilities and access to weapons or explosives.

According to Tegar, the evaluation is important to strengthen the early detection system as well as ensure the social reintegration process for ex-narcotics runs optimally without neglecting security aspects.

In addition to highlighting the aspect of supervision, Tegar also assessed that social and economic issues were also factors that needed attention. He said that the dispute that started with the fight for trading stalls showed that there were still challenges in the process of reintegrating former convicts into society.

"The training program should not stop after they are free. The government needs to ensure access to appropriate jobs so that they can adapt back to social and economic life," he said.

He encouraged the government through the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) together with Densus 88 Antiterror to formulate a more comprehensive policy in addressing the mismatch between the skills of ex-prisoners and the needs of the labor market or labor mismatch.

According to Tegar, the regulation must be able to open wider access to employment so that ex-prisoners have the opportunity to earn a decent living and are not trapped in conflicts due to limited economic space.

On the other hand, he reminded that strengthening the supervision of ex-napiter requires adequate resource support.

"Monitoring thousands of ex-narcotics in Indonesia with a minimal budget is certainly very difficult. If the government wants to strengthen security while ensuring that the training program runs effectively, then budget support must also be strengthened," he said.