By: Ajeng Mufadillah)*
Saudi Arabia has not only helped Indonesia dampen the growth of radicalism, but also has clearly contributed to strengthening the role of law enforcement in combating terrorism networks in the country.
This is one of the most important moral messages so easily understood from the series of activities of King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud in Indonesia. “The challenges we face, especially for Muslims and the world in general, such as the phenomenon of terrorism, clash of civilizations, no respect for the sovereignty of the state, and intervention of domestic affairs have required us to unite the line in the face of This challenge, “was the main message from King Salman’s speech in the House on Thursday (2/3).
Of the 11 memoranda of understanding signed by Indonesia-Saudi Arabia at the recent visit of King Salman, there is agreement on the need for joint efforts or steps to tackle radicalism and terrorism, and to enhance the role of Islam in realizing world peace. As explained by Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, in the agreement, King Salman emphasized the importance of promoting moderate Islam.
To realize peace and protect the civilization of the world, moderation of Islam should be put forward. There is a phrase in the memorandum of understanding between RI-Saudi Arabia which emphasizes the importance of maintaining, maintaining and protecting differences or diversity, including religious differences. The main content of King Salman’s speech in the House of Representatives and the message of moral in the memorandum of understanding will in itself be able to dampen the radical understanding and radical movement which is feared to have grown and developed in Indonesia recently.
The meaning of this message would be very special and strategic because it is voiced by King Salman, a figure that became a barometer for many Indonesian people, especially because of its role and function as guardians of two holy cities, Mecca and Medina. To the people of Indonesia, King Salman not only message through words, but directly prove it by doing. King Salman provides about an hour to meet 28 figures representing Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism.
He supports the ongoing dialogue among religious believers in order to strengthen tolerance and harmony, as well as combat radicalism and extremism. Not only meetings with interfaith leaders, King Salman and his delegation even chose a vacation in Bali, a province of which most of the people are Hindus. Moral messages and everything King Salman did while he was in Indonesia sooner or later will shrink the space for the development of radicalism and the tendency of extremism over anything, including religion.
Saudi Arabia even invites Indonesia to work together to prevent and stop radicalism and extremism. The call was written in a memorandum of understanding signed by National Police Chief Tito Karnavian and Saudi Royal Police Chief Usman al Mughrij on Wednesday (1/3) at Bogor Palace, witnessed by King Salman and President Joko Widodo. The cooperation agreement between the Police and the Royal Saudi Arabian Police covers dozens of areas within the transnational crime scene.
Specifically on the counterterrorism treaty and its funding, it can be concluded that Saudi Arabia indirectly invites and reminds Indonesia of how serious the threat of terrorism today. Cooperation was even believed to be the choice and will of King Salman. Before the deal was signed, King Salman has also sent Usman al Mughrij to meet General Tito in Jakarta on Tuesday 28 February 2017. Both discuss strategies to counter potential terror threats.
From that meeting, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia agreed to combat transnational crime. However, the priority is to respond to current terrorism. As noted by Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Indonesia Osama Mohammad Abdullah Alshuaibi, the most important is the ISIS combat deal. Therefore, the Police and the Royal Police of the Kingdom of Indonesia formulate a strategy to combat terrorism and its funding. The choice of Saudi Arabia to make Polri a partner reflects the trust and recognition of Polri’s competence and qualifications in combating terrorism.
Police-Royal Police Cooperation of Saudi Arabia is clearly included in the priority of King Salman because the document memorandum of understanding of the two countries of police is included in the 11 memorandum of understanding that has been prepared for the signing of officials of two countries. The agreement is very important and strategic for two countries because Indonesia continues to be overshadowed by the threat of terrorism. While Saudi Arabia has also been a target of terrorist attacks as reflected in the events of three suicide bombings in July 2016.
One of them occurred near the Prophet’s Mosque, Medina. The reason and consideration behind the Police and Royal Police of Saudi Arabia is expected to inspire the House of Representatives in revising the Law No. 15/2003 on Combating Terrorism Crime because Saudi Arabia has reminded how serious the threat of terrorism today. In addition, by making the Police a partner, Saudi Arabia also wants to emphasize that the international community is looking forward to Indonesia’s significant role in responding to ISIS’s network.
The main reason, the Police has the competence and qualifications for the job. That way, enough reason if the revision of the Law on Combating Terrorism gives access to the extension of the authority and freedom of the state to take action against anyone who is indicated as a terrorist. The state needs great authority and discretion because the threat of terrorism will always exist for unpredictable timescales.
Moreover, terrorism is the case with the development of capabilities in line with the development of modern technology and able to form syndication through network spans in different countries. To anticipate the future threat of terrorism, Indonesia must continue to strengthen antiterror units such as Densus 88. There are important records that should be underlined by the government, DPR and all components of society. First, it is clear that Saudi Arabia is paying close attention to Indonesia’s steps in responding to the threat of terrorism.
This is reflected in the statement of the Saudi Ambassador to Indonesia Alshuaibi. In an interview with a news agency, Ambassador Alshuaibi said that we knew Indonesia had suffered from bombing and terrorism here. Alshuaibi, of course, refers to a series of terrorist attacks since the 2002 Bali bomb explosion to the bomb explosion in Sarinah, Jakarta, January 2016. Alshuaibi then hinted at the urgency of RI and Saudi cooperation. We will cooperate with Indonesia in this field. We can exchange data and exchange experiences and we can beat these people (ISIS)
The second note is the wisdom of King Salman very special that is for families and parents of members of Anti-terror Police Headquarters Densus 88 who was injured or killed while on duty. To them, King Salman gave the award of free pilgrimage. For the members of Densus 88 who died, the award from King Salman will be given to the heirs, parents, or family.
In this program, it is agreed that per year will be departed five people for the pilgrimage. According to police records, a member of Densus 88 who was wounded and died while performing the duties of about 70 people.
So, not just trust and recognition of the competence of the Police in the fight against terrorism, Saudi Arabia even gave awards to the Police soldiers for their courage and sacrifice in the war against terrorism.
)* The author is CIDISS contributor
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