Extremism Spreads Across Indonesian Penal Code

The New York Times reports that in recent years, as part of a decentralization of power away from the capital, Jakarta, at least 50 local governments have used their new authority to pass Shariah-based regulations regarding conduct and dress, though none have gone as far as Aceh to deal with criminal matters. Most experts and [...]

Indonesia plans surveillance drone launch

Indonesia plans to launch a drone plane called “Puna” next year to support national defence and monitor extremist activity, an official said.”Puna, an unmanned small aircraft, can safely observe hard-to-reach areas. It has been tested and we’ll launch it next year,” said Mr Surjatin Wiriadidjaja, deputy chairman of the government’s Agency for the Assessment and [...]

Indonesia’s Plan to Strengthen Anti-Terror Laws

The Indonesian Security Ministry has asked lawmakers to amend the 2002 anti-terror law, which was enacted after bombings in Bali that killed 202 people. The amendments would allow authorities to detain terrorism suspects for 30 days without filing criminal charges. Currently, they can be held seven days. And it would boost from 120 days to [...]

Terrorist attack in Indonesia

At least two improvised explosive devices detonated in the Mega Kuningan business district of Jakarta, Indonesia, early on July 17, near the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott hotels killing 9 people and injuring dozens more. The main suspect is a JI splinter group led by Noordin Mohammed Top.
Backgrounder on Jemaah Islamiyah in the CSM.NYT: Extremist ideas survive [...]

CFR Reports on AQIM, Jemaah Islamiyah and Hizbullah

Backgrounder on Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) or L’Organisation Al-Qaeada au Maghreb Islamique (Formerly Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat or Groupe Salafiste pour la Predication et le Combat) by Andrew Hansen and Lauren Vriens
Backgrounder on Jemaah Islamiyah (a.k.a. Jemaah Islamiah)
Backgrounder Hezbollah (a.k.a. Hizbollah, Hizbu’llah)

New NGO reports and academic articles of interest

Human Rights Watch has a new report on administrative detentions in Jordan. Read it here.The Open Society Initiative has a new report analyzing ethnic profiling both in ordinary policing and in counterterrorism, and finds that it is not just a violation of European laws and international human rights norms, but also an ineffective use of [...]

Military intelligence tracks fund flow funding JI terror network in Philippines

(BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific)
The military intelligence network is tracking the flow of funds for the regional Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist network.
According to the Army’s 10th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, they have already identified the local conduits of the JI militants in Mindanao.
“Our intelligence keeps track of the fund flow of the JI. [...]

Indonesia’s head of Detachment 88 says unit is dependent on private donors

The LA Times has an interview with Saud Usman Nasutionan , the head of  Indonesia’s elite anti-terrorism police unit. Read the interview here.
What is your biggest challenge now in fighting terrorism?
I think it’s the budget. . . . Our government has no money for this program. There’s no support because . . . we still [...]

Indonesian officials ask US to keep Hambali, other Jemaah Islamiyah member admits role in foiled 2001 terror attack,

Indonesian government officials have requested that the Obama administration continue to detain Indonesian-born Al Qaeda terror suspect Riduan “Hambali” Isamuddin after the United States closes the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba, according to the Jakarta Globe.A “well-placed government official” said there were concerns that Hambali, who also is believed to be a senior member [...]

Indonesia discusses anti-terror cooperation with six countries

Indonesia and six other countries, namely Poland, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Uzbekistan, Sudan and Venezuela, are now discussing a plan to cooperate in the fight against terrorism, a senior official said to Xinhua new agency in Jakarta on Monday.
Indonesia had already concluded anti-terrorism cooperation agreements with seven countries, namely Australia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Romania, [...]