The Jakarta Post, October 11, 2006
Terror in RI rooted in ideology: Expert
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia's brand of terrorism is starkly different from that found in the Middle East
and should be tackled using specifically targeted methods, a leading psychologist
here says
Sarlito Wirawan Sarwono, chairman of the Asian Psychologists' Association (APA),
said that while terrorism in the Middle East was rooted in nationalism, in Indonesia it
has traditionally been based on ideology.
"The thing is that almost all terrorism theories are based on the results of research in
the Middle East so it is understandable that many strategies, tactics and anti-terror
technology applied in Indonesia have not been too effective," he was quoted by AFP
as saying late Monday.
Sarlito, also a terrorism expert at the University of Indonesia, said the families of
Indonesian terrorists were mostly ashamed of their acts, unlike in the Middle East
where such acts are often a source of pride.
The predominantly Muslim nation has suffered from a slew of bloody attacks in recent
years, including the 2002 Bali bombings, which left 202 people dead.
Sarlito said a recent study showed that common concerns and appraisals of jihad
were two main factors that influenced young Muslims to join militant groups and
launch terror attacks.
The study was based on interviews with death-row Bali bombers Imam Samudra,
Amrozi, Ali Gufron and Ali Imron, he added.
"They share common concerns on goals, values, responsibilities and pride and they
accept the meaning and consequences of their terror acts.
"What is in their mind is that extreme ideology and rigid faith make them firm and
prepared to use violence in the name of religion with the promise of pretty angels in
heaven if they are killed," Sarlito said.
Nasir Abas, a former regional commander of the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) regional terror
network who has since joined efforts to fight terrorism, said Indonesian terrorists
specifically targeted civilians, in contrast to their Middle Eastern counterparts.
"They launch their actions against non-military members, unarmed people and not
while in a condition of war," Nasir said, adding that JI leaders were among the most
dangerous militants.
Sarlito described these leaders as "psychopaths", able to manipulate people into
becoming suicide bombers -- even when technology allows bombings to be carried out
without them.
"The suicide bombers are there as just a sensational (factor). The fact that there is a
suicide bomber gives an attack a higher profile," the psychologist said.
Nasir said he believes key JI leader Noordin M. Top, who remains on the run,
continues to recruit members as new jihadists in Indonesia.
The former militant, who was arrested in 2003 in Bekasi, West Java, said JI was
established in 1993 to defend Islam against non-Muslim enemies.
"We were recruited not to carry out suicide attacks but to wage jihad against
countries and any non-Muslim groups who invaded Muslim countries. We were taught
about certain extreme Islamic teachings to have us possess strong and rigid faith and
trained to use violence to defend our religion," he told The Jakarta Post.
Nasir, born in Singapore in 1969 and now living in Malaysia with his wife and four
children, said he knew nothing about Asia's alleged JI operative Omar al-Farouq, who
was handed over by Indonesian intelligence officers to the United States. He was
reported killed in a recent attack in Iraq.
"If you want to know him, ask his wife and his close relatives here. But, I know
Amrozi, Imam Samudra, Igbal and others involved in the 2002 Bali blasts because
they were my younger classmates when we were in Afghanistan (between 1987 and
1993)," he said.
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