"The Vice President strongly condemns the suicide bombing because it clearly harms human values and religion," vice presidential spokesperson Masduki Baidlowi said in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Amin said that Islam forbids inhuman acts since they are against religion, according to Baidlowi.
"Often events occur in the name of religion but basically it is far from the essence of understanding religion itself and it is very regrettable and must be condemned for such actions, that is the first thing," he remarked.
Second, Vice President Amin expressed his sympathies for the victims of the suicide bombing, who included police officers and civilians.
"To the family and all, the Vice President offers his condolences to the victims who died and is sympathetic and empathic to injured victims," Baidlowi said.
Third, the vice president asked law enforcement and security forces to remain on alert.
"This incident shows that the networks of terrorism in the name of religion are still here and continue to move. They are targeting the security forces, especially the police," Baidlowi added.
He said that upstream and downstream approaches are necessary to tackle this problem. The downstream approach can be seen in the form of a security and legal approach, while the upstream approach would involve raising awareness, including through literacy to educate people about the dangers of religious violation in terrorism.
"They misinterpret religion and that is a big mistake and it harms Islam. This incident shows that terrorism that uses religion as a cover must be solved comprehensively with various elements," he said.
According to West Java Regional Police chief, Inspector General, one police officer was killed, while ten people were injured in the suicide bombing at Astanaanyar Police Station at 8:20 a.m. local time on Wednesday.
National Police chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said the suicide bomber has been identified as Agus Sujarno or Agus Muslim who had been arrested for his involvement in the Cicendo bombing in 2017.
"The person concerned was arrested for the Cicendo bombing and was sentenced to four years in prison. He was released around September or October 2021. Of course, we have been following his activity (after his release)," Prabowo informed at a press conference.
Agus Muslim was said to be affiliated with the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) group based in Bandung, West Java.
Agus Muslim had been detained at Nusakambangan prison in Central Java, but upon his release, he was still included in the red category, Prabowo informed.
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Translator: Desca Lidya N, Resinta S
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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