REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG -- The West Java branch of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has appealed to the local residents to remain vigilant of any terrorist activities by reporting terror suspects to the local authorities.
"People who see anyone suspicious or individuals who do not like to socialize with others must be immediately reported to the local authorities," West Java MUI spokesman Rafani Achyar remarked here on Tuesday.
He explained that besides the government and security officials, the public's role is also vital in the efforts to preventing and fighting terrorism.
In the meantime, the Lebak district government in Banten province has also asked the local residents to be wary of the Nusantara Daybreak Movement's (Gafatar's) heretic ideology, following the disappearance of four heads of families in Rangkasbitung recently.
"We expect the local people to increase their vigilance against heresy, and immediately report to local authorities if there are any unfamiliar guests in the neighborhood," Lebak district government spokesman Yusup remarked on Tuesday.
He noted that the local government had banned the heretic ideology in the area when some of the local residents joined the movement and subsequently went missing.
"We hope the local residents will increase their vigilance against the presence of radical groups, including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Gafatar," Yusup noted.
According to him, four heads of families involved with Gafatar in Rangkasbitung Village have mysteriously disappeared, without a word to close neighbors or members of their own families.
Yusup said the authorities were searching for the four missing people amidst fears they have joined ISIS.