REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- An observer of terrorism-related affairs from the University of Indonesia believes that the radical ideology of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been developing in Indonesia for a long time.
"I believe that the ISIS ideology has been developing for a while in various forms in Indonesia," Nasir Abbas, the observer, said here on Thursday.
He pointed out that the ideology of the ISIS can be developed in various forms on different forums where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged.
"Such forums can easily reach layers of society, and may not even be recognized by the public," he added.
In addition, he stated that the principles of the ISIS will not affect Indonesia directly, but will have a great impact in the next decade.
"If we allow the seeds of the threat of terrorism to be planted, they will grow in the next 10 years," he remarked.
Moreover, he hopes that the National Agency for Terrorism Eradication (BNPT), the government and relevant authorities pay ample attention to the issue of terrorism to ensure that it is prevented.
Earlier, Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla issued a warning, stating that the government may revoke the citizenship of its people joining ISIS.
"Citizens joining the war of another country may lose their citizenship," he affirmed.
Sixteen Indonesian citizens had reportedly gone missing in Turkey and were believed to have joined the ISIS.
In addition, other citizens, also totaling 16, were arrested by Turkish security authorities at the Turkish border.
"There are two groups of 16 people each, with the first one still at large and the other already detained," he revealed.
The first group was reported missing on February 24 after separating from a tour group, following their arrival at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul.
According to their flight schedule, they were supposed to return home on March 3 but failed to arrive at Jakarta's airport with other members of the tour group.
On March 12, Turkish security authorities arrested 16 Indonesian citizens trying to cross into Syria with official documents.
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