NU not involved in effort to dissolve Densus 88

Jakarta, NU Online
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the Indonesia's largest Muslim organization asserted that it was not involved in any effort to dissolve the country’s anti-terror squad (Densus 88) in the wake of allegations it has tortured, wrongfully arrested or killed suspected terrorists while battling terrorism.<>

Chairman of NU H Iqbal Sullam, who is named in the news media for being part of Muslim groups calling on the national police to dissolve the Densus 88, conveyed a rebuttal statement directly.

"This morning I was at the UI (University of Indonesia). I participated in a discussion about the Khojaly tragedy which was also attended by General Chairman of NU KH Said (Aqil Siroj) and Mr. Marzuki (Speaker of the House of Representatives)," Iqbal said.

Related to the demand to dissolve the Densus 88 by a number of Islamic organizations, Iqbal claimed to get a personal invitation which was delivered by the Chairman of Muhammadiyah, Din Syamsudin. However, he did not attend the invitation.

"I assert I am not present in the action (at Police Headquarters)," Iqbal said.

For alleged human rights violations committed by the Densus 88 in the capture of terrorism suspects sparking protests from a number of Islamic organizations, Iqbal even expressed his support for the existence of the anti-terror squad.

"In fact I would argue the presence of Densus 88 is still needed in the fight against terrorism, but it does have to do some evaluations and corrections," he said.

As reported, Muslim groups have recently called on the National Police to dissolve the country’s anti-terror squad (Densus 88).

Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin, who is also deputy chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), said the police force must change its current approach to combating terrorism as it would prove counterproductive to terrorism eradication efforts.

Din and representatives of other Islamic groups, including DDII and Persatuan Islam (Persis), went to the National Police’s headquarters on Thursday to report alleged human rights abuses perpetrated by Densus members against suspected terrorists. NU and Muhammadiyah are the country’s largest Islamic organizations.

The groups claimed to have presented to the police video footage depicting men in Densus 88 uniforms intimidating and torturing what appears to be a suspected terrorist.

Speaking to journalists, Din said the man’s legs and hands were tied when the supposedly Densus officers verbally abused and shot him. “You are going to die, now istighfar [go ask for God’s mercy],” Din said, quoting the officer.

The video, according to Din, insulted Islam and could arouse sympathy among Indonesian Muslims, who largely opposed terrorism, for the militants. “Densus 88 should be evaluated, or dissolved if necessary. It could be replaced by another institution that promotes a different approach, to combat terrorism together because terrorism is our common enemy,” Din said.

National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said the police had no plans to dissolve the anti-terror squad but promised to investigate the alleged abuse featured in the video. “We will try to find out where [the abuse] actually took place. The police chief [Gen. Timur Pradopo] has ordered the head of the police’s general crime unit [Comr. Gen. Sutarman] to follow up on the finding,” he said.

Boy said that the incident might have links to the police counterterrorism operation in Poso, Central Sulawesi, where a group of militants have launched terror attacks targeting police officers. Representatives of the Islamic groups, Boy said, would be involved in the police’s internal investigation.

Editor: Sudarto Murtaufiq