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TNI at forefront of IS prevention in Sulawesi

Jakarta Post - March 26, 2015

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Andi Hajramurni, Makassar – The Military Region Command (Kodam) VII/Wirabuna is stepping up monitoring and surveillance to prevent the Islamic State (IS) militant group from entering and spreading its influence in Sulawesi, a commander has said.

Kodam VII/Wirabuana commander Maj. Gen. Bachtiar said preventive measures were being conducted by officers at all military command levels, including village supervisory non-commissioned officers (Babinsa).

He said military personnel would socialize prevention strategies and attempt to instill the importance of patriotism and love of country. The Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel are also tasked with monitoring resident activities, which has aroused suspicion.

"IS has been declared a common enemy. Therefore, people must be warned to stay alert, preventing the influence of the radical group from entering and growing in the region," said Bachtiar at the Kodam VII/Wirabuana headquarters in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Thursday.

According to Bachtiar, the command has identified Poso, Central Sulawesi, as a region prone to the influence of the IS group, as it is home to a number of militant terrorist groups that have pledged allegiance to IS.

In South Sulawesi, Luwu and surrounding areas have also been identified as potential breeding grounds for radical groups in Central Sulawesi.

Bachtiar asserted that the command's military personnel would only take preventative measures to halt the spread of IS influence. "It is the police that will handle security measures; but the Indonesian Military is ready if requested by police to help tackle the militant group's movements," said Bachtiar.

He denied a rumor that naming Poso a region vulnerable to the spread of IS was was being used as a way to justify a joint military exercise in the regency later this month.

Previously, National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) head Saud Usman Nasution said the recruitment of IS fighters from Indonesia jumped significantly between January and October last year, estimating that 514 Indonesians had gone to Syria to fight with IS.

Bachtiar said in addition to Poso and several other regions in Sulawesi, border areas near the Philippines would also see tightened security, as they were prone to illegal immigrant trespassing, harboring and trafficking activities. "We are working with Philippine authorities to guard the border areas," he said. (ebf)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/03/26/tni-forefront-is-prevention-sulawesi.html.