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ctivists on Monday alleged that the Indonesian government let violence and terror reign in the country as it resulted in the disbursement of foreign funds in the name of the war on terror.

The accusation was made after human rights activist Ratna Sarumpaet uncovered a five-year-old Australian TV documentary alleging that Indonesian authorities were behind the perpetrators of many acts terror and violence in the past decade.

The documentary cited as examples the 2000 Christmas Eve bombings of churches in six provinces, the Bali bombings in 2002 and 2005, the violent riots in Poso, Central Sulawesi, in 1998 and 2000 and bombings in Jakarta in 2003, 2004, and 2009.

“Even though the content of the video can’t be viewed totally as accurate evidence, what is clearly presented in it, including the statements, confessions, and analysis, is relevant as initial evidence of state crimes against the people,” Sarumpaet said after a screening of the documentary at the Kineforum, Jakarta’s renowned independent cinema venue, at Taman Ismail Marzuki, in Central Jakarta.

The 44-minute documentary was produced by the Australian television network SBS and was first aired on SBS’s current affairs program Dateline on Oct. 12, 2005.

Prominent scenes in the documentary include an interview with former president Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid, who believed that the military forces were behind several acts of terrorism in the country.

Also shown were statements from several convicted terrorists who alleged they received encouragement from police officers to carry out terrorist acts.

The documentary featured interviews with regional religious leaders who accused the Indonesian Military of using proxy armies to do their work and a scene with former National Police chief Gen. Da’i Bachtiar telling House legislators about how he managed to secure massive funding from foreign countries to be used on the war on terror.

“There is no way the state can dismantle this network of terror when there are actors within its body who foster, sponsor, and supply arms to terrorist groups,” human rights activist Usman Hamid said.

Usman said the documentary showed the involvement of Indonesian authorities in supporting terrorism, including supplying terrorists with firearms and explosives.

“The authorities also have a habit of pointing their fingers at Muslim hardliners and inciting fear of the so-called danger of terrorism in the hearts of the public, while their own involvement in the horrendous acts is hardly ever discussed,” Usman added.

“Violence against humanity is equal to violence against God,” Catholic priest Santo from the Indonesian Bishops Conference said. “We have to widely disseminate this documentary so that the public knows the truth.”

“If the documentary is accurate, then the government has gone against its own raison d’etre, which is to protect the public,” political analyst Yudi Latief said.

“If we condemn all acts of terrorism, then, by default, we must also condemn the state if it becomes a perpetrator.”

World Council of Churches president Soritua Nababan said a government apology would be useless.

“An apology from the government is too late right now. However, it is never too late to dismantle this
network of crimes against humanity.” (mim)