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Indonesians spend own money to join IS terrorist group: Observers
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Director of the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict Sidney Jones was interviewed by The Jakarta Post in Jakarta on Dec. 2. (the jakarta post/Wienda Parwitasari)
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ropelled by messages about glorification of caliphate life spread by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization, Indonesians falling to the radical doctrine have been willing to spend their own money to join the group, terrorism analysts say.
“There is no funding system. Most of the people who have gone to Syria have been self-financed. They have sold their land, houses, or cars. They even have borrowed money from friends and relatives,” Sidney Jones, director of the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC), told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
Although in some cases, Sydney added, there had also been money apparently sent from Syria for travel, but the amount was very small compared to the funds that were locally raised.
She said the appeal continuously conveyed by the group falsely depicted the actual situation in the war-torn country.
“The propaganda is never about terrorism or violence, but the caliphate and the idea that you can bring up your family to a pure Islamic state,” she said.
(Read also: Alleged terrorists arrested in W. Java affiliated with JAD: Police)
Terrorism observer Al Chaidar made a similar statement, saying that the cost for an individual going to Syria could be up to Rp 30 million (US$2,231).
“They usually use the service from agents who handle all administrative matters including the visa and flight ticket. When arriving in Syria, they will be escorted by another Indonesian,” he said.
On Saturday, the National Police’s Densus 88 counterterrorism squad arrested three Indonesians who were deported from Turkey for allegedly intending to join IS militants. (fac/jun)
