Giddy Government's Attitude Towards The Return Of Indonesian Citizen Suspected Of Terrorists

Deputy Chief Justice Mahfud MD (Wardhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD said that currently there are still 660 Indonesian citizens who are included in the foreign terrorist fighters (FTF) list abroad. Mahfud said the fate of their return to Indonesia is currently still being discussed at the ministerial level.

It's just that, according to the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK), the government is currently nervous. Because on the one hand, Indonesian citizens cannot be state-less or stateless, but on the other hand, the government is worried that when they are sent home, it will spread the terrorism virus.

"Earlier we discussed, whether you want to be repatriated or not, if you want to return, return all or not, it is not easy because based on constitutional principles, every citizen of that country has the right to obtain citizenship and may not have a state-less status. constitution, "Mahfud told reporters at his office, Tuesday, January 21.

"But the problem is, if they are sent home because of that right, that can also be, there are those who are worried that it could become a new terrorist virus," he added.

Reflecting on this problem, the government is currently reviewing what steps to take regarding Indonesian citizens who go to war abroad. He also explained that this meeting did invite the ministries because the results would involve several policies.

"The Ministry of Social Affairs for example accommodates the social consequences, Kemenkumham whose law and citizenship, tourism and investment can also be affected. For example, there is still a terrorist threat and everything will be considered and later conveyed to the president," he explained while saying the government's stance was likely to be taken in the long term. this six month time.

On that occasion, Mahfud also explained that 660 Indonesian citizens who went to fight were in the Middle East region. Although not specifically, he said that the largest number of citizens in this country were scattered in several of these areas.

"We saw it in Afghanistan, Syria, and Turkey. There are many everywhere. I think Syria has the most," he concluded.