Citizens joining the war of another country may lose their citizenship."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla has issued a warning that the government may revoke the citizenship of its people joining the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
"Citizens joining the war of another country may lose their citizenship," he stated here on Wednesday.
Recently, sixteen Indonesian citizens had reportedly gone missing in Turkey and are believed to have joined the ISIS group.
Meanwhile, other citizens, also totaling 16, have been arrested by Turkish security authorities at the Turkish border.
"There are two groups of 16 people each, with the first one still at large, and the other one already detained," he emphasized.
The first group was reported missing on February 24 after separating from a tour group following their arrival at the Ataturk airport in Istanbul.
They were expected to return home on March 3 based on their flight schedule but failed to arrive at Jakartas airport along with the other tour group members.
On March 12, the Turkish security authorities arrested 16 Indonesian citizens trying to cross into Syria with official documents.
Deputy Chairman of the Parliaments Commission I Tubagus Hasanudin stated here on Wednesday that at least 514 Indonesians have joined the ISIS.
"Based on the information that I have received, around 514 Indonesians have joined ISIS, and four of them have been killed in the fight," Tubagus remarked here on Wednesday.
He, however, could not furnish details about where the 514 Indonesians hailed from.
"What is certain is that they are all Indonesians," he stated.
He stated that the Commission will hold intensive discussions on ISIS with the foreign affairs office, the military, and the national intelligence agency (BIN).
He noted that currently, the BIN and other related institutions, including religious leaders, need to prevent radicalization in the fight against ISIS.
"Our country has a vast territory, but many of the areas are still free from radicalism. Therefore, I still believe that radicalization could be prevented," he emphasized.
He cautioned the government and its intelligence agencies to closely observe school students to protect them from falling prey to the ISIS propaganda.
Indonesia, the worlds largest Muslim country, is believed to be the main target of ISIS for recruitment.
(Reporting by Fransiska Ninditya/Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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