The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) has warned that alleged Indonesian supporters of the radical Islamic State (IS) group, since their return to Indonesia from Syria, have integrated with other members of society.
BNPT chief Comr. Gen. Saud Usman feared that the returnees could spread their radical views of Islam through religious events to other people. “They live among us and they spread their beliefs,” Saud said in Jakarta on Saturday.
According to identification procedures by the Foreign Ministry and the Law and Human Rights Ministry’s immigration directorate general, 169 Indonesians that were deported from Syria now live in various places in Java, Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Saud asked the people to report any suspicious activities or suspicious groups of people in their neighborhoods to the authorities.
According to Saud, Indonesia faces a threat of terrorist acts like kidnappings, bombings or shootings. He said the people had to support the security personnel in maintaining security in the face of terrorist intentions.
“If they have the opportunity, they will execute [their terrorist acts]. Therefore, we have to strengthen our protection of vital facilities like airports, markets, seaports, stations and other places whether many people gather,” Saud added.
