'Gasoline' And 'Blood Supply' For Terrorists Must Be Government Focus To Stop

Police officers dismantle the Khilafatul Muslimin sign in Karangasem, Central Java/ Photo: Doc. Central Java Police

JAKARTA - Researcher from the Center for the Study of Terrorism and Social Conflict at the University of Indonesia (UI) Solahudin asked the government and law enforcement officials to focus on eradicating the sources of funds for terrorism groups.

“Law enforcement must begin to focus on funding. Why the funding? That's why the gasoline or the blood of these groups," said Solahudin to reporters at a press conference on the Phenomenon of Contemporary Ideology in Indonesia at the Aryaduta Hotel, Jakarta, Monday, June 20.

Even though radical groups are under various pressures from the public, they can still operate because they receive abundant logistical support.

Ironically, he said, most of the logistical support came from public funds.

"Indonesia is one of the most generous countries. This situation is then used by radical groups to carry out 'fundraising' (fundraising), where the source of funds is from the public," he said.

The desire to donate often results in people donating to terror groups without them knowing it, he said.

Therefore, he is of the view that the state must protect the public from donating to terror groups.

“A terror group has a charity that managed to raise funds from 2014 to 2019 in the amount of more than Rp. 100 billion. I think this number is not kidding," he said.

Thus, Solahudin suggested that what has been done by Densus 88 in targeting cases of terror financing and funding of radical groups was more focused and strengthened by the government and other law enforcement officers.

He asked the government to conduct a counter-narrative against radicalism through education. This step aims to build community resilience or immunity so that they are not easily exposed to radical ideas.

"Here, synergy is really needed," he said.

Regarding the children who had attended schools affiliated with Khilafatul Muslimin, Solahudin expressed his sadness.

“Because for me, it was a kind of radicalization at an early age. In my opinion, it is important for the state to be present and prevent that," he said.

Moreover, he said, in the next few generations, Indonesia will experience a demographic bonus. If the counter-narrative is not immediately carried out and radical education is not immediately eradicated, then he is worried that Indonesia will even give birth to a more radical generation.

“I recommend focusing on the world of education. How to build a culture of community resilience. Then, once again I say, law enforcement is more focused on funding," said Solahudin.