Indonesian Police Arrest Leader of Terror Group 'Jemaah Islamiyah'

Jakarta, July 2, 2019:

Last weekend's arrest of an experienced leader of extremist militant group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) has revealed the inner workings of the much-feared South-east Asian terrorist group with links to Al-Qaeda.

Groups such as JI had often relied on donations from members and sympathisers, and even robberies, to grow and fund their murderous activities. Moreover, JI under its so-called "emir" (top leader) Para Wijayanto has been building economic strength by carrying on, among others, a oil palm plantation business in Sumatra and Kalimantan, police said.

Police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo stated that "Neo-JI, conducts business while recruiting members and planning to set up a caliphate in the country.

Brigadier-General Dedi said its senior officials under Para's leadership were paid between 10 million rupiah (S$960) and 15 million rupiah a month, as an example of the Neo-JI's financial strength.

Brigadiet-General Dedi told a media briefing on Monday that "to build strength, they recruit as many cadres as possible, conduct businesses and then expand. In the long term, their aim is to establish a caliphate in Indonesia. Indonesia, the world's biggest exporter of oil palm, allows companies and well-off individuals to buy land and seeds to grow palm trees. Growers sell the fruits to milling plants for profits."

Police scored big when Para was arrested early on Saturday morning on the outskirts capital city Jakarta, as he had been on the run for 16 years. Para is believed to be a student of Abu Bakar Basyir, the alleged mastermind of the 2002 Bali bombings that killed more than 200 people.

JI was also behind the 2009 attacks on the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels, as well as the Australian embassy in Jakarta, four others were also arrested over the weekend, including Para's wife who played an active role in the organisation. Three others were his closest assistants.

Para, 54, was captured just after 6am in a hotel in Bekasi town, before becoming "emir" of neo-JI, and had held various senior positions and was involved in training and recruitment. He has been on the police's "priority wanted list" since 2003.

Police said Para communicated with terror networks in the Philippines and al-Qaeda affiliated networks in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Inside Northeast’s Campaign #LetsSaveDeeporBeel is now supported by Oil India Limited (OIL). Join us as we continue the awareness campaign to preserve the only Ramsar site in Assam which is facing immense threats. We need your held to preserve this site of great ecological importance. Join the #LetsSaveDeeporBeel campaign and tweet about it, and do tag us on Twitter. Let’s make some noise!