Agenda Following Rejection of ex-ISIS Combatants

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

A banner rejecting terrorism is installed as a group of people stage an action calling for the refusal of the repatriation of around 600 Indonesians who joined the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq and Syria (IS) at the National Monument area, Jakarta, Monday (10/2/2020). The government is expected to take the best policy to protect citizens in Indonesia in relation to the controversy over the issue of returning Indonesian ex-IS combatants. Radicalism has no place to grow in Indonesia.

The government’s firm decision to refuse to repatriate former Indonesian combatants of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and to consider the possible repatriation of women and under-10 children, have gained widespread public support. A Kompas public opinion poll (17 Feb. 2020) showed that 61.5 percent respondents disagreed with repatriating ex-ISIS Indonesian citizens, while 32.8 percent agreed and the rest did not know.

Nevertheless, the government agenda following its decision not to repatriate former ISIS combatants is far more complex and intricate, and requires dedicated long-term efforts. This is because the ISIS breed of radicalism is a movement that is oriented towards a utopian principle that blends primordial sentiments regarding race, ethnicity and religion, as well as exclusive nationalism to give it ideological legitimacy.