By: Ismail )*
The decision to reject the return of the ex-ISIS combatant was correct. Because the repatriation of former ISIS citizens can increase the potential for terrorist acts and trigger the disintegration of the nation. The government now does not need to doubt about this.
The planned return of the former ISIS combatant to Indonesia became an interesting conversation. Pros and cons related to government decisions did not escape the public spotlight. Personally, I am among those who refuse. The reason is, they themselves have chosen the road when going there. In fact, I was willing to burn all my passports. Surely this has been carefully thought out.
However, as time passed they in fact wanted to return to Indonesia, their hometown. But, the situation is not the same. Their current status is ex ISIS combatants. Which incidentally is already the case with various forms of violence as well as the extreme actions of the groups they follow. In addition, habits also can not be lost easily right?
Previously, the media had reported that ISIS suffered defeat in Syria. They were forced to withdraw after being attacked by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in March 2019. This is marked by the fall of ISIS’s last defense in Baghouz.
From the triumphs to the downfall of the ISIS group, there were around 700 to 800 ISI sympathizers in Syria. Of the total, only about 200 people have. repatriated to Indonesia. The rest are still waiting for government assistance so they can return to the country.
However, it is not as easy as turning the palm of the hand. Because, no one forced them to go to Syria. President Jokowi has also stressed that the return of ex-ISIS citizens will be carried out if they commit to be loyal to Pancasila. And if they do not want to change their ideology, Indonesia will firmly reject them.
Meanwhile, the Government is also reportedly studying the repatriation of around 600 Indonesian Citizens who have joined the radical ISIS group. The plan turned out to cause various rejections from citizens on Twitter who called the hashtag #TolakEksWNIproISIS.
Most of them refused the return of the ex-ISIS combatants because of security reasons, besides that they were also worried that their return would affect other residents. Remember, no one is able to guarantee if they have “recovered” from the deviant routines that they have struggled so far.
Jokowi himself has stated that hundreds of ex-ISIS sympathizers who burned their passports could not return to Indonesia. But Jokowi ensured that the provisions would still be discussed again in a limited meeting with a number of ministries.
In line with the citizens, Deputy Minister of Religion (Wamenag) Zainut Tauhid Sa’adi said the repatriation of hundreds of Indonesian citizens was considered to potentially create security disturbances. He stated that security threats came not only from the ideology of radicalism that they profess. But also some of them have been directly involved in ISIS activities.
Zainut believes that the discourse on the return of 660 Indonesian citizens from former ISIS needs to be studied in depth. According to him, there is a need for a search of the profile of each ex-ISIS citizen before being discharged. Then the Government needs to divide the citizens into three groups based on the level of threat to security. The first is already aware, the second is still exposed, and the third that needs special attention and must deal with the law, added Zainut.
Zainut reiterated, if the Ministry of Religion had never expressed support for the discourse of the return of 600 Indonesian ex-ISIS citizens. He also denied that there was news that said Minister of Religion Fachrul Razi supported the idea.
Until now the Ministry of Religion is still receiving input from various parties. This was done so that the Ministry of Religion was able to provide the right decisions regarding the repatriation of ex-ISIS citizens.
A similar statement was expressed by Mahfud MD as Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security, stating the government will decide whether to repatriate or not will be decided in May 2020. The decision was allegedly to be issued directly by President Joko Widodo.
Although there are humanitarian reasons, it seems that the government need not hesitate to refuse their return. Because, there will be many complications that can occur. The main thing is of course security reasons, after all there is no guarantee that they can behave properly after being in the homeland. The thought of living with people who mercilessly killed, torturing one another indiscriminately was horrified. Especially if they really relapse. Not to mention if they actually want to build strength in Indonesia, isn’t this even worse?
)* The author is a social political observer