Noordin or not, the police should get two thumbs up

Rizal Sukma , Jakarta | Tue, 08/11/2009 12:33 PM | Headlines

The Temanggung saga, which ended with the death of a terrorist suspect believed to be Noordin M. Top, has shown once again the increasing ability of Indonesia's police force to combat terrorism. Combined with the shooting and capture of several other terrorist suspects in Jati Asih, Bekasi, it is clear the Indonesian police, especially the counterterror unit Detachment 88 (D88), deserve two thumbs up for its effort to eradicate threats.

The police should not be deterred by pessimistic or cynical views in some circles among the elite and wider society. Since the Bali bombing in October 2002, the Indonesian Police have come a long way and today D88 is one of the most capable counterterrorism units in the world.

Much has been achieved in the last seven years. Hundreds of suspected and convicted terrorists have been arrested and jailed in that period. We should not forget that one of the most dangerous terrorist leaders, Dr. Azahari Husin, was also killed by the D88 in November 2005.

The public should realize that the police need all the support they can get. No one can afford to be complacent. In combating terror, it is difficult to say when the war has been won, as the level of threat posed by terrorism goes up and down. Finding out where and when they could strike is a very difficult task.

We have learned how the terrorists, after more than four years since their last attack, managed to launch another bomb attack on July 17 this year. Instead of criticizing the police's work, the public would be better off reminding the police about the danger of complacency.

The achievements of the police also indicate that the direct involvement of the military in combating terrorism is not yet needed. It is true that Law No. 3/2003 regarding State Defense provides the basis for the military to also undertake counterterrorist efforts, and is one element of its operation besides war itself. However, the law does not clearly outline the conditions under which such a task should be carried out, or via what rules of engagement.

However, it is important to recognize that the military needs to maintain its counterterror capabilities. The fact that the Jati Asih terrorists planned to attack the residence of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono clearly suggests that the military should not be sidelined. The responsibility to protect the President and vice-president resides with the military. The possibility that the terrorists could attack vital and strategic targets should not be discounted as well.

The military need to get involved in the fight against terror, and for this reason there should be closer coordination between the police and the military. The precise nature of the military's role regarding terrorism should be regulated, and these two forces should not be pitted against one another. As stated recently by TNI Commander Gen. Djoko Santoso, cooperation between the police and the TNI has so far worked well. A clearer legal basis for closer coordination and cooperation between the two would certainly improve Indonesia's ability to deal with terrorist threats.

We all - government officials and the public - should also understand that counterterrorism is far more complex than just the use of force by security authorities against terrorists. Terror threats do not emerge from a vacuum. The root causes of the problem are complex and require a comprehensive strategy to address them. It also requires the far more difficult task of addressing social and economic conditions that could give rise to radicalism and terrorism. Here, the police should not be left alone. The government should speed up its efforts to deliver the promises of economic development and social justice. The public should also participate by, among others, developing a culture of vigilance and avoiding attitudes of indifference.

Without close cooperation among all elements of the nation, terrorism will be hard to defeat. Regardless of whether DNA tests show the body from the raid was in fact Noordin or not, the police need our full support. In the meantime, let us congratulate the Indonesian Police once again, and provide them with whatever support we can offer.

The writer is the executive director of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.