"Officials from the Defense Ministry and other government agencies such as the Counter terrorism Agency (BNPT), National Intelligence Agency, National Military Forces, and the National Police will regularly check on the development of deviant sects entering Indonesia," noted Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro.
In the meantime, spokesman to the Indonesian military Forces (TNI) Major General Fuad M. Basya remarked that the military is ready to prevent persons linked to any deviant sect from trying to gain entry into Indonesia from Malaysia.
Earlier, Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian National Defense Forces General Moeldoko reported that the authorities will continue to monitor the security threats across the world, including those posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
"We have to be vigilant and not take the situation lightly because the present condition is different from that in the past," he stated, adding that they should not underestimate the potential of external conflicts.
The army chief further stated that the presence of ISIS ideology is banned in Indonesia as it is against the Pancasila state ideology and the 1945 Constitution (UUD 45).
"Yes, 56 Indonesians have joined the organization and are in those countries (Iraq and Syria). We have been monitoring their activities till date," he noted.
The Indonesian government had rejected the ISIS and its ideology and arrested local terror suspects who have declared their support for the foreign group.
Four foreigners, who are allegedly believed to be the members of ISIS, were arrested by the Densus 88 Anti-Terror Squad and the Central Sulawesi police in Parigi Moutong district while they were on their way to Poso district, Central Sulawesi, on Sept. 13 in the evening.
(Reporting by Syaiful Hakim/translating and editing by Amie Fenia Arimbi/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
