T

he fact that the funeral of chief terrorist Santoso, alias Abu Wardah, on Saturday was attended by thousands of people, several of whom brandished Islamic State (IS) movement flags has highlighted the size of his following.

Santoso, the leader of the Eastern Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorist group, was killed in a gun battle with security personnel last Monday.

Residents were seen waving three IS flags when they picked up Santoso’s body in Tambarana village, Poso, Central Sulawesi.

Several others were seen wearing T-shirts with IS symbols.

“The flags were seen in a convoy of motorcycles and cars from Tambarana to Landangan village, Poso Pesisir district,” said Operation Tinombala task force spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Hari Suprapto.

Based on intelligence reports, those who attended the funeral included MIT sympathizers. They came from various regions such as Poso, Ampana (Tojo Una-Una) and Parigi Moutong regencies to attend the funeral procession, led by Poso religious leader ustadz Adnan Arsal.

Santoso was the country’s most wanted terrorist so the local support during his funeral was unexpected.

Moreover, a banner was erected across a small road leading to the house of Santoso’s parents in Landangan village that read “Welcome the martyr of Poso, Santoso alias Abu Wardah.”

The banner was printed in full color and featured photos of Santoso, both when he was alive and armed with a rifle and after he was killed.

“Something is weird in our society. Santoso was a terrorist, but local people have crowned him as a martyr,” Poso youth leader Yasin Mangun told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

According to Yasin, the presence of thousands of people at Santoso’s funeral also proves that there are many MIT sympathizers in Poso, but Santoso and his activities really did not represent the Muslims in Poso. “This has become a shared responsibility for us to resolve,” he said.

In addition, the family of Santoso said they accepted his death but asked security personnel not to be present at the funeral home in Lantojaya village, Landangan, or around the cemetery.

As a result during the funeral procession on Saturday, security personnel were nowhere to be seen.

A veiled woman, who was suspected of being an intelligence officer, was attacked by residents and had her arm fractured.

“We will not keep quiet. Law enforcement will be imposed without fear or favor,” Hari Suprapto said.

Meanwhile, Jumiatun Muslim, alias Umi Delima, the second wife of Santoso, who surrendered to Operation Tinombala task force members on Saturday, is now being held at a special room in the Bhayangkara Police Hospital in Palu.

The woman, who once lived in the forest with Santoso, is currently undergoing medical examinations.

Hari said Jumiatun was most likely ill as a result of the length of her stay in the forest.

“She is suffering from malnutrition,” said Hari.

According to Hari, Jumiatun’s arrest was made when the Operation Tinombala personnel from the Alfa 17 Raiders unit from Garut, West Java, were combing the location of the shootout between Santoso and security personnel.

Jumiatun appeared along the Atas Tambarana River trying to flee the scene, she did not resist arrest and was not armed.