REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - The association of some Indonesian Islamic organizations, SOLI, asked government to evaluate Special Detachment 88, the Indonesian counter-terrorism squad. They believes that the squad is contraproductive to fight terrorism in Indonesia.
Chairman of Muhammadiyah Central Board, Din Syamsuddin, said their position towards Special Detachment 88 did not mean that they supported terrorism. Instead, they consider that the squad often use violent acts towards terrorist suspects. Such act can bring resentment to the next generation.
"The move conducted by squad can be contraproductive to fight terrorism," Syamsuddin said during SOLI joint statement on terrorism eradication on Thursday.
Syamsuddin has seen the video of brutal act carried out by special Detachment 88 which is uploaded on Youtube. He said that it has diverted from its original intention to provide security to this country.
SOLI suspects that anti terror squad has violated human rights while conducting their task. Hence, SOLI urges government to evaluate and audit financial account of the squad and replace them with a new credible institution. Syamsuddin said the best way to uproot terrorism was to eliminate social economic injustice.
Besides Muhammadiyah, several Islamic organizations which join SOLI are Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesian Muslim Scholars (ICMI), Islamic Women, Baitul Muslimin Indonesia, Hizbut Tahrir and others. Special Detachment 88 was established after Bali bombings in 2002 and became operational in 2003.
IPW: terrorism issues declining
Earlier this month, Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) said the police special detachment (Densus 88) anti-terror could now be dissolved as terrorism issues in the country have been declining.
"If in the future terrorism issues appear again, they could be handled by the police`s mobile brigade (Brimob)," IPW Presidium chairman Neta S Pane said in press statement made available on March 2.
Neta made the statement in connection with the news that the anti-terror squad had allegedly committed violence in carrying out its task. A video showed that a terror suspect was tortured by alleged members of the anti-terror squad in Poso.
Yet, government rejected the idea to dismiss the Detachment 88. Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law and Security, Djoko Suyanto, said their demand was exaggerating.
Indonesian Police Headquarter also said that the dismissal was not a solution. Spokesman of Indonesian Police Headquarter, Suhardi Alius, said terminating the anti terror squad meant burying their service for the nation.
"They play significant role to maintain security in the country," he said.
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