Misunderstanding Malaysian Police Arrests 3 Indonesian Citizens For Terrorism

Karopenmas, Public Relations Division of the National Police Headquarters Brig. Gen. Pol Argo Yuwono (Special Doc.)

JAKARTA - The National Police confirmed that three Indonesian citizens, supporters of the national team, who were being secured by the Malaysian Police or PDRM, were not linked to terrorism. Karopenmas of the Public Relations Division of the National Police Headquarters Brig. Gen. Pol Argo Yuwono confirmed that the arrests of the three Indonesian citizens occurred because of a misunderstanding.

"So we re-check there that the person concerned has not been detained in connection with terrorism. So it is not true that he is a terrorist network," said Argo in Jakarta, Friday, November 22.

They, Andreas Setiawan, Iyan Ptada Wibowo and Rifki Chorudin. The three of them are men from Bali who came to a neighboring country to watch the 2022 World Cup Qualifying soccer match that met Indonesia and Malaysia.

However, Tuesday, November 19, the three of them were actually arrested by the Malaysian Royal Police or PDRM when they were about to enter the Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur. On social media, the three are accused of being involved in the 'bomb terror' case.

The PDRM suspicion started when the three young men tried to enter the stadium. However, to be at the location of the match, they must pass an inspection.

At that time, local officials checked one by one the luggage in the youth's bag. The third cellphone did not go unnoticed. Later, one of them was said to have deleted the Facebook application from his smartphone before the inspection.

Thus, the officers suspected that the three youths from the island of the gods were involved in a terrorist network. Which was then immediately secured for further questioning.

"It means deleting Facebook before the investigation is carried out. So the Facebook has been deleted, then from the Malaysian side the question is whether this is related to the terrorist network there," said Argo.

However, when asked about the results of the investigation by the Malaysian police on the three young men, Argo did not explain in detail. It's just mentioned, if their statements are still being explored to ensure there is a link with terrorist groups.

"So (the three youths) are still being asked for information there (Malaysia). The results of the information will be like what we will convey next," concluded Argo.