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Poso safe haven for foreign militants: Minister
Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo has said that about 140 foreigners are engaged in a holy war in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, where the Indonesian Militaryâs Quick Reaction Strike Force (PPRC) is currently conducting military exercises
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ome Minister Tjahjo Kumolo has said that about 140 foreigners are engaged in a holy war in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, where the Indonesian Military's Quick Reaction Strike Force (PPRC) is currently conducting military exercises.
Tjahjo told Regional Representatives Council (DPD) members during a meeting on Wednesday that foreign militants had been engaged in a holy war there for 10 years because they could not do so in other countries.
'All relevant state institutions are working on measures to deal with this issue,' Tjahjo said.
Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the meeting, Tjahjo said: 'I don't know why they [foreign militants] have been able to sustain such an operation for 10 years there.' He further emphasized that 'President Jokowi and the Indonesian Military commander are keen to end it'.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician mentioned a proposal to amend Law No. 15/2013 on counterterrorism to comprehensively resolve the growing influence of radicalism in addition to the government's ongoing efforts to block radical websites.
The government, represented by Tjahjo and Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Minister Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, formally discussed the amendment proposal with the House of Representatives chairmanship during a closed-door consultation meeting earlier in the day.
The government and the House are expected to start deliberating the issue soon in recognition of the urgency of the matter.
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Tedjo repeatedly denied that the military exercises currently taking place in Poso were aimed at targeting suspected terrorists hiding in the area.
'This is just because we already have soldiers there,' he said. (ebf)(++++)
