"Densus 88 not only needs to improve itself as a National Police elite assault unit but must also equip itself with dialog capability," National Police Commission (Kompolnas) member M Nasser said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia still needs anti-terror special unit Densus 88, but it must also equip itself with dialog capability, National Police Commission (Kompolnas) member M Nasser said.

He said however that Densus 88 needs to improve its dialog capability to hold the spread of deviant religious teachings.

"Densus 88 not only needs to improve itself as a National Police elite assault unit but must also equip itself with dialog capability," he said in a written statement received by ANTARA News on Sunday.

He said the dialog capability is an approach method needed before action is to be taken. The capability is important in view of terrorists` increased efforts to mingle with community members in their efforts to spread their ideology and collect new recruits.

"In view of that Densus 88 needs to adapt its patterns of organization and actions," he said.

Nasser said there was movement as part of a certain radical group`s efforts to influence people with deviant Islamic ideology coming out of shallow religious knowledge.

He said the belief in jihad, fai (illegal fund raising) and thaghut (idolatry) which are all against the glory of a religion is being spread among the people by exploiting their ignorance and poverty.

"This must be addressed by elders, teachers, religious leaders, Muslim organizations and also community components and must oblige us all including state apparatus to also take responsibility," he said.

He said the danger of terrorism is clear and so the presence of Densus 88 is significant to protect the people from it.

"Several months ago we already monitored Densus 88 closely and we concluded that Densus 88 has credible and accountable standard operating procedures. Meaning a Densus 88 member will only open fire according to the SOP," he said.

Densus 88 teams has recently killed seven suspected terrorists and arrested 13 others in their operations in several locations in Java.

They are members of the Abu Omar and Autat Rawa group and according to their confession so far they had operated to collect funds to finance operations of the Mujahidin in East Indonesia in Poso led by Autat Rawa and Santoso, Nasser said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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