The Discourse Of Hambali Dalang Bom Bali Returned From US-Owned Prison, Ministry Of Social Affairs Ready For Rehabilitation

The media crew took pictures of Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf (left) and Head of BNPT Eddy Hartono in a press conference after a meeting at the Ministry of Social Affairs Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (22/1/2025) (ANTARA/Prisca Triferna)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) is ready to support social rehabilitation efforts against ex-convicts of terrorism cases (napiters) in response to the discourse of repatriating former Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist group member Encep Nurjaman alias Hambali from a prison belonging to the United States (US) in Cuba.

Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Saifullah Yusuf said that the Ministry of Social Affairs has collaborated with BNPT for the rehabilitation and social integration of victims and ex-convicts of terrorism cases so far.

"If the deradicalization is in BNPT, the social rehabilitation is with us. Of course, during social rehabilitation we were also accompanied by Densus 88 and also by BNPT to be able to monitor, evaluate those who have been part of social rehabilitation," said the Minister of Social Affairs in response to reporters' questions regarding potential rehabilitation if indeed Hambali was sent back to Indonesia, Wednesday, January 22, confiscated by Antara.

Social rehabilitation efforts have been carried out by the Ministry of Social Affairs together with BNPT by collaborating with several other ministries/agencies, including the TNI/Polri and the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag).

The Minister of Social Affairs said that so far there have been around 400 people who have undergone empowerment and rehabilitation to return to the community.

On this occasion, Head of BNPT Eddy Hartono said related to the Hambali case, the government continues to conduct studies both from an international and domestic legal point of view, as well as prevention studies by BNPT before the realization of the discourse.

"Later we will of course see the study, both from the view of international legal studies, because if I'm not mistaken, Hambali will be processed in America in the context of war crimes, not terrorism," explained Eddy.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the Indonesian government was still studying the discourse of repatriating Hambali. Coordination was also carried out to determine the government's attitude towards the former terrorist who was strongly suspected of being involved in the 2002 Bali Bombing incident.