INFLUENCE WANED
Adhe Bhakti, a security expert at the Center for Radicalism and Deradicalization Studies, said the proposed parole for two former leaders would reflect their cooperation in exposing the remaining networks and convincing former members to pledge their loyalty to Indonesia.
At its peak, JI was one of Asia’s most feared extremist networks, with cells in Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, but its influence and support waned after a sustained crackdown by authorities and de-radicalisation programmes.
The ministry for law and penitentiary affairs is collecting data on how many former JI members will be given parole or amnesty, senior minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said on Monday (Dec 23).
President Prabowo Subianto wanted to grant amnesty to young convicts at an age when they can be productive members of society, the minister said, adding procedures were underway to hold the amnesty and drop outstanding charges.
“God willing, it will be implemented in the first months of 2025,” he said in a statement.
Two operatives jailed for life for their involvement in the Bali attack, its planner Hutomo Pamungkas, or Mubarok, and bomb-maker Ali Imron, are among those still in prison.
Prabowo also plans to pardon 44,000 prisoners, from drug offenders and activists jailed for defamation and has said he might also allow people who engaged in graft to go unpunished if they return what they stole.
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