Critical Reflections on De-Radicalisation in Indonesia

Abstract

Since 9/11 western and non-western governments have implemented counter-counter terrorism and de-radicalisation programs to “inoculate Muslim populations” and de-radicalise those deemed as radicalised through securitization and “moderate Islam”. The Indonesian government and civil society organizations have attempted to address radicalisation by setting up counter-radicalisation and de-radicalisation programs. This paper will critically reflect on the Indonesian de-radicalisation programs. It will first critically discuss the terms radicalisation and de-radicalisation. Then critically assess the Indonesian de-radicalisation programs. In the final section, the author suggests that Indonesia needs to introduce humanitarian activities to make the de-radicalisation programs more effective and overcome labelling and stigmatization.

Understanding the rise of Indonesian Foreign Terrorist Fighter

“…The negative impact of this stigma is that ISIS returnee felt isolated, which could push them to commit for another terror act. 51 The emergence of ISIS, the establishment of several Indonesian terrorist groups such as Jemaah Anshar Daulat and Jemaah Anshar Khilafah followed by terror acts, and the number of Indonesian combatants who flew to Syria, create Islamophobia within society although Indonesia is well-known as the most populous Muslim country. 52 Islam is then seen as an extreme religion that teaches hatred towards people outside Islam and spreads the notion of violence because terrorists use Islamic attributes while committing terror acts.…”

De-radicalization Program: The Case Study of Indonesia

“…The reason is because an extremist or terrorist group or participating in an active conflict zone puts an individual's life at significant risk and will likely not yield the impact and reward, they desire because there is an increased likelihood of them being arrest-ed or killed before having any impact on the conflict. Herein lies the potential value of incorporating humanitarian work within de-radicalisation and disengagement programs (Mohammed, 2020).…”