Ex-Jemaah Islamiyah Members Pledge Loyalty to Indonesia

TheIndonesia.co - Fifteen former members of terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah have pledged loyalty to Indonesia in a ceremony held in East Java governor’s headquarters on Monday, August 8.

East Java deputy governor Emil Elestianto Dardak who was present on the occasion said it was a monumental moment as the 15 ex-members of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) pledged their allegiance to the country.

“Today, they stood before and saluted the Red and White flag. It’s an important gesture for all Indonesians,” Dardak said on Monday, as reported by Antara.

He also urged members of other terrorist groups to return and once again be part of Indonesia.

“Don’t ever feel like one cannot return [to being part of the country] just because they have taken baiat [oath of allegiance to a leader]. By God’s will, the baiat will be revoked, and peace can be achieved among us,” he encouraged.

Dardak lastly appreciated the work done by the National Police's counterterrorism unit Detachment 88, or Densus 88, and East Java Police on anti-terrorism and deradicalization.

Meanwhile, deputy chief of East Java Police Brig. Gen. Slamet Hadi Supraptoyo said the ceremony was part of the police’s commitment to eradicate radicalism in the country.

“To all JI members who have pledged loyalty, we will guarantee your safety and independence as Indonesian citizens. I invite you to actively participate in protecting and nurturing the diversity that has been inherited to us,” Supraptoyo said.

Brig. Gen. Arif Makhfudiharto from Densus 88 reminded and asked members of the public to continuously take part in the former members’ social reintegration process.

“We ask the provincial government and Forkopimda [regional leadership coordination forum] in East Java to keep accompanying them, so they can progress and make positive contribution to the country and future generation,” Makhfudiharto said.