RI ‘a breeding ground’ for terrorists, drug dealers

Indonesia’s geographic position between Australia and the Middle East and South Asia, has resulted in an influx of illegal immigrants into Indonesia, many of whom have turned to terrorism and illegal drug smuggling for work, according to a top police officer.

National Police chief detective Comr. Gen. Ito Sumardi said some immigrants, many from Middle East and South Asian countries, had assimilated with local people and formed criminal organizations. Ito was speaking on the of the Fourth Bali Regional Ministerial Conference in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Tuesday.

“After being involved in local communities for a certain period of time, many of them became criminals who embezzle money and deal drugs. Such cases have been found in Puncak [Bogor, West Java],” Ito said.

He said the police had found strong indications that members of international drug dealers operating in Indonesia were formerly illegal immigrants.

“They get stuck with no money. They then readily accept dirty jobs in order to survive. As time goes by, they became significant players in international drug dealer rings.”

Ito cited illicit immigrants particularly from Afghanistan and Iraq who he called “notorious for the wars and bombings” as important elements of the terrorist threat in Indonesia.

“They left their home countries in high states of emotion because there were escalating political problems. What if they then sought to unleash their anger and carry out their revenge here? They have combat and bomb-making skills. The police are keeping an eye on these kinds of people,” Ito said.

Canberra has been cooperating with Jakarta to curb the number of illegal immigrants entering Australia. The issue of illegal immigrants was a prominent topic during Australia’s recent general elections.

Indonesian authorities have frequently stopped boats filled with illegal immigrants in Indonesian waters. However, due to a lack of detention facilities, immigration officers are forced to temporarily house the illegal immigrants in civilians’ homes.

The problem prompted Australia to propose that a major refugee center be built in Indonesia.

However, Indonesia has not welcomed the proposal, citing the potential social and criminal repercussions of having a large immigration camp in its territory.

Australia also proposed that Malaysia or Timor Leste host such an immigration center, but both countries rejected the idea.