By: Muhammad Yasin
In recent days, the discourse of returning the former ISIS combatant to Indonesia has become one of the topics that the media is busy discussing.
Responding to this, President Joko Widodo and the community agreed to reject the return of Indonesian citizens currently in Syria and surrounding areas. Because, they have burned passports and have the potential to spread radical understanding to the public.
What comes to mind when hearing terrorists? Or Heard the biggest terrorism network, ISIS. Certainly quite sad, the left-wing group is known for its extreme in every action. No exception when executing the victims, sadist!
Now it is rumored that hundreds of ex-ISIS sympathizers who are citizens of Indonesia want to return to the country.
This is quite frightening, personally the former terrorist group who incidentally has a dark history wants to return to Indonesia. Imagine hundreds of people returning to their respective hometowns, while there is no guarantee that they have “recovered” from the habit of terrorism or not.
Previously, President Joko Widodo stated firmly that hundreds of Indonesian ISI sympathizers who had burned their passports could not return to Indonesia. But Jokowi will still ensure the provisions will be discussed again in a limited meeting with a number of members in the ministry.
Jokowi explained, the plan to repatriate hundreds of ex-ISIS citizens must be considered in detail regarding the plus minus and also the others. Therefore, input from a number of ministries and institutions is needed during the Ratas (limited meetings) process.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD had previously said the government was not certain to repatriate 600 Indonesian citizens (WNI) with the status of former members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Mahfud said that the government was currently assigning a special team led by BNPT Head Suhardi Alius to study two policy options. Later these two options will be discussed with the Indonesian Vice President, Ma’ruf Amin.
Responding to this the Vice President (Vice President) Ma’ruf Amin said the discourse of returning 600 Indonesian ex-ISIS members to Indonesia was still at the stage of review. This in-depth study aims to ensure that ex-ISIS citizens do not influence citizens.
Treating former ISIS is also considered to be cautious, not to lose caution by treating Indonesian citizens who are potentially infected with the Corona virus. Namely, it needs isolation first. Because, before they have been exposed to radicalism and terrorism, added Ma’ruf Amin.
Related to this, the next decision will be submitted to the President. Which will be discussed in more depth, and a decision is made. And according to Mahfud, about May or June will be decided.
Mahfud said that the first option was to repatriate 600 people for reasons of citizenship. While the second option is not to repatriate them because they are considered to have violated the law due to terrorism.
On the other hand, the Minister of Religion Fachrul Razi said that hundreds of Indonesian citizens who had joined ISIS were mostly burning Indonesian passports on the grounds that they felt close to God. Fachrul also said the discourse of repatriation had not been decided yet.
The fact that the former ISIS who wants to go home is indeed quite disturbing. Those who have struggled with leftist groups and radical actions, it is impossible to recover in a short time.
Moreover, they have also burned their passports as provisions for their return to the country. If asked, of course I agree with President Jokowi who refused firmly on their return.
It is not a matter of opportunity or human rights, but they have broken the law because of the status of the terrorists that they belonged to before.
Not to mention, whether they have truly recovered from all kinds of doctrines to deviant behavior they have ever done. Although, the state guarantees that it will foster the ex-ISIS sympathizer, there are still concerns. Moreover, in the community where they live. If they are 100 percent recovered, everything will be fine.
However, if they secretly influence the people and are sadistic like in Syria, who will bear it?
Indeed everything must be calculated carefully and carefully. Don’t because they have Indonesian citizenship status, then just repatriate them.
This is the same as setting aside other citizens’ concerns. Hopefully, the government will be able to make the best decision by continuing to prioritize a sense of security and comfort for its citizens.
The writer is a social political observer
