Ahead of the Nataru holiday (Christmas and New Year’s) the government has implemented tighter security measures to prevent terrorism, because it is very prone to bombings. TNI and Polri personnel will continue to be added to maintain the peace of the Christmas celebration.
The end of the year is synonymous with holidays and people celebrate Christmas with joy. For those who don’t celebrate it, they are still happy because there is a Nataru holiday (Christmas and New Years) so they can take a break from the busyness of the office. However, public security can be disrupted because of terrorists who deliberately throw tantrums and carry out terror in houses of worship and other public places.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD stated that the issue of terrorism is still the government’s attention, especially after the bombing in front of houses of worship some time ago. A number of steps have been taken to anticipate the bombings in public places and places of worship. Moreover, Christians who celebrate Christmas need to be protected so that they can do mass without fear of being bombed by terrorists.
Protection is further enhanced before Nataru and the Police always carry out candlelight operations to secure the community. In addition to protecting the people who will celebrate Christmas, this operation is also intended to raid, lest anyone wander around and carry bombs, firearms, sharp weapons, or other dangerous goods.
The head of the Indonesian National Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, stated that the situation was still conducive. However, he asked his staff to map out potential vulnerabilities and anticipate potential disturbances in public security and order ahead of Nataru. Anticipation needs to be done because during 2021 there will be many activities that have the potential to disrupt order and security.
In addition to tightening security, the National Police also cooperates with the Anti-terror Detachment 88 to arrest terrorists. This is a precautionary measure so that they cannot carry out terror or bombings, either in front of houses of worship or other public places. Terrorists are very dangerous because they have been brainwashed so that they are blind to their eyes and have the heart to kill inhumanely.
On November 9, 2021, Densus 88 anti-terror has arrested 5 terrorists in 4 areas in East Java, namely Gresik, Sumenep, Kediri, and Bojonegoro. During the search, evidence was found in the form of a jihad book. Prevention by arresting terrorists is very necessary because in December terrorists should not make bombs and then place them in public facilities and endanger the community.
To prevent terrorism ahead of the Nataru holiday, the next step is to trace the financial sources of the terrorists, because without money they cannot make bombs (because the capital can be millions of rupiah). The arrest of terrorists in Lampung is a testament to the seriousness of the Police and the government in eradicating terrorism as well as preventing chaos on the Nataru holiday.
When the terrorist in Lampung was caught, the fact was revealed that he was proven to have misused public donations that went through charities. Instead of being given to orphans or the poor, the donation money was actually made into terrorist financing, which is really sad.
After the terrorist is caught, it will be investigated again because there could be other terrorist networks, either in Sumatra, Java, or other islands. Terrorists who are caught can become informants so that they can prevent further acts of terrorism, especially before the Nataru holiday.
Nataru’s vacation can be very memorable but also scary as it is overshadowed by the threat of bombing by terrorists. The National Police and the anti-terror Detachment 88 are working hard to catch more terrorists, so they can’t create chaos on Nataru’s holiday. Terrorism must be eradicated so that this country is not destroyed.
By: Savira Ayu)* The author is a contributor to the Press Circle and a Cikini Student