Laskar Jihad
Jan 31st, 2007, in News, by PatungDozens of former Laskar Jihad members are heading to Poso, Central Sulawesi.
Scores of former Laskar Jihad members left Surabaya, East Java, on the 29th en route to Makassar, South Sulawesi, and thereafter with the intention to head to Poso, Central Sulawesi.
The Laskar Jihad, or Holy War Force, was a paramilitary organisation formed in 2000, some believe with the backing of elements of the Indonesian military, which has in the past waged “holy war” against Christians in Indonesia, particularly in the Moluccas in the early 2000’s. It formally disbanded in 2002 after its leader Jaffar Umar Thalib was put on trial for inciting attacks against Christians near Ambon.
Laskar Jihad, in times past.
Now Antara reports that some old members of the group, led by Jarot alias Abu Haedar, Irfan, Zulkarnain, Yulianto, Suwondo and Iswanto from Yogyakarta and Solo in Central Java, have boarded a number of small boats to Makassar, posing as humble fishermen, and from there hope to make it to Poso by land.
A spokesman for the Wirabuana Military Command area in South Sulawesi, Lieutenant Colonel Amsal, said he was aware of the news reports concerning the matter and that military and police forces were investigating.
However Makassar Naval Base VI deputy commander Colonel Uus Kustiwa said he had no information about the movement of the former jihad warriors towards Poso. antara
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February 10th.
The governor of Central Sulawesi, Banjela Paliuju, says he has received a warning from the central government about the possible movement of armed groups to Poso. Paliuju went on to say that presently a number of militants had re-entered Poso after having fled after last month’s fighting with police. He urged the city government to conduct a census of the city’s residents, focusing particularly on recent migrants to the area. metrotv
51 Comments on “Laskar Jihad”
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Dimp says:
They should have fly with Adam Air.
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Ihaknt says:
Halah…munafik thugs for hire!! If they were ‘brave’ why do they always cover their faces? I thought it was only for women to cover their faces. Muna! I hope they all die in that self-declared war. Useless people.
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Tomaculum says:
A question bother me: don’t these people and all of them who demonstrated for/against various things (like against the Playboy magazine etc) have to work to earn money like all of us?
Or is working to earn money something trivial profane for them? Or are they have enough money? If yes, then from where? -
Tom, they are thugs for hire. Come on, you know this mentality. If money talks loud enough then they action on something, anything. Sometimes the payment is as simple as nasi bungkus. What else would they cover their faces for? It’s the leader/payer of the pack who should be asked where they get their money from. I guess these people think by yelling God’s name it guarantees them the path to heaven without analysing what other behaviour is appropriate.
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1ndra says:
How do you know they’re thugs, do you have proof?
I’ve read most of them are good people that are being angry because their family have been treated as animals and because their brotherhoodness.And about cover, I think maybe its for ‘mentality care’.
I mean, if they’re uncovered and their friends died, it will make them sad and breakdown because they already remember their faces.
But with a cover, they dont care about faces, only care the same goals.
Just my thought, correct me if I’m wrong.But I’m not longing for anymore war, hope they know what they’re doing and won’t do anything harmful.
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Hassan says:
Let’s be fair. Most of them had lost their family member(s) on the last big strife in Poso, they’re not looking forward for a repeat so they’re just taking some necessary protective precautions. They can’t rely on the police to keep their families in Poso safe, we all knew too well how our police in Poso are: useless.
Tomaculum:
“don’t these people and all of them who demonstrated for/against various things (like against the Playboy magazine etc) have to work to earn money like all of us?”
They had attained ‘financial freedom’, as Robert Kiyosaki would say. Fighting evil (or preserving evil, depending on your point of view) is a lucrative business on some parts of the world. 🙂
On a more serious note, is it not true that God will provide for each and every one of His creations? ‘How’ is a different matter altogether.
Ihaknt:
“Sometimes the payment is as simple as nasi bungkus.”
I don’t think they would risk their lives over some nasi bungkus. Would you?
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Robert says:
Hassan,
Let’s be fair. Most of them had lost their family member(s) on the last big strife in Poso, they’re not looking forward for a repeat so they’re just taking some necessary protective precautions.
How do you know these guys lost family members? What kind of ‘necessary protective precautions’ are you talking about? It seems to me you know these guys very well, because you are so convinced of their good intentions.
BTW, If their intentions are so noble, why do they have to pose as fishermen and go to Makassar in small boats? Why not take the ferry instead? And what about the masks, are they afraid they get a sunburn?
For people who have allegedly honourable intentions, they have all appearances against them.I don’t think they would risk their lives over some nasi bungkus. Would you?
I don’t think so either. Nasi bungkus won’t do the trick, probably money will.
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Andrew says:
Talking about lost lives due to violence, I think a lot of people from both sides in Poso have their share of the misery.
I still believe what’s critical is the role of government and law enforcement there. Now, whether or not they are effective and unbiased in doing their job warrants another discussion.
In any case, taking matters in to their own hands won’t fix the situation – it’s like going back to medieval time. Whoever they are, be they Muslims or Christians or anyone else, and whatever the reasons are, killing others and stirring up violence are against the law.
I don’t claim to have the magic formula to resolve this situation, but instead of bickering over who’s wrong and who’s right, shouldn’t we focus on discussing the solution? I know it won’t be easy – for if it were, the government would have solved this long ago.
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Bas says:
Nasi bungkus is much than enough in a country where you can hire a killer for Rp. 50.000 and sometime less. Read “abal-abal”, prisons are full of guys who have killed for a pack of cigarettes.
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Hassan,
Let’s be fair. Most of them had lost their family member(s) on the last big strife in Poso.
Hmm, I thought most of the Laskar Jihad members, which are now going to Sulawesi (do they have already reached Poso now?), are from Java. Ah, ya, maybe they have relatives in Poso, hmm? Or maybe not? Or is this because Muslims in the whole world are brothers, so they view the Poso Moslems as relatives?
They had attained ‘financial freedom’, as Robert Kiyosaki would say. Fighting evil (or preserving evil, depending on your point of view) is a lucrative business on some parts of the world.
You’re right, Hassan, but which evil? The evil (read: stupidity and fanaticism) in their heads? Vengeance? I’m sure that islam don’t teach the Muslims to act vengeance.
I don’t think they would risk their lives over some nasi bungkus. Would you?
If you ask me, I would answer: no! Not for a nasi bungkus, but also not for billions of dollars.
1ndra,
And about cover, I think maybe its for ‘mentality care’.
I mean, if they’re uncovered and their friends died, it will make them sad and breakdown because they already remember their faces. But with a cover, they dont care about faces, only care the same goals.Are you serious with this comment?
I’ve read most of them are good people that are being angry because their family have been treated as animals and because their brotherhoodness.
Good people? What is your definition for good people? To use your vocabulary: I have read, that good people are those who love their neighbour independently their religion/faith and skin colour (read: race), and those which are helpful, peaceful, relisgious without being fanatic, those who works honestly to earn money. More?
But maybe this definition I’ve read is out of date?It is sad and disgusting what currently happens in and with Indonesia. 🙁
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Matahari says:
Guys, they are probably thugs for hire, but they also are victims of the poverty, they probably don’t understand what jihad means, all they know is to do the job and get paid.
Sadly, they been using as the political vehicle by certain people.
From England with love, Matahari -
Rockstar says:
Now the question is, why did they cover their mouth?
I suspect they went to Poso in search for a peppermint.
“”””””
Caption: “Who’s just fart? Raise your hand!” -
Hi 1ndra,
I’ve read most of them are good people that are being angry because their family have been treated as animals and because their brotherhoodness.
Can you please elaborate more, what you meant by brotherhood here, I have seen people killing each other regardless of their religion, in Iraq the Sunni and Shiah are killing each other, in Palestine the Hamas and Fatah are killing each other, why the Laskar Jihad are not sent there?
And about cover, I think maybe its for ‘mentality care’.
I mean, if they’re uncovered and their friends died, it will make them sad and breakdown because they already remember their faces.
But with a cover, they dont care about faces, only care the same goals.
Just my thought, correct me if I’m wrong.I am just going to correct you here, simple, because they are cowards, and they don’t want others to recognise them.
All in all I am against any violence, if you say that the Moslems can defend by killing non-Moslems, then the non-Moslems can say that they need to defend themselves by killing the Moslems, God help us.
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I understand that those people who are holding their stomach has a bit of a stomachache I think, but the guy on the right, why is he touching his armpit?
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Grace and Mercy says:
Hassan
Let’s be fair. Most of them had lost their family member(s) on the last big strife in Poso, they’re not looking forward for a repeat so they’re just taking some necessary protective precautions.
But they’re NOT from Poso. They are heading there from Surabaya.
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Tom
Ah, ya, maybe they have relatives in Poso, hmm? Or maybe not? Or is this because Muslims in the whole world are brothers, so they view the Poso Moslems as relatives?
Good one!
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Miss Indo 07 says:
Hassan
Let’s be fair. Most of them had lost their family member(s) on the last big strife in Poso, they’re not looking forward for a repeat so they’re just taking some necessary protective precautions.
Indra
How do you know they’re thugs, do you have proof?
I’ve read most of them are good people that are being angry because their family have been treated as animals and because their brotherhoodness.And about cover, I think maybe its for ‘mentality care’.
I mean, if they’re uncovered and their friends died, it will make them sad and breakdown because they already remember their faces.
But with a cover, they dont care about faces, only care the same goals.If these comments can come from people whom I assumed “makan sekolahan”, then no wonder those people can be beyond stupid.
Maybe like Tomaculum said, don’t they have to earn some money? I guess they’re jobless (kurang kerjaan).
Frankly speaking, this same old brand new problem has been in Indo since forever, but the funny thing is, it seems like the people (read:government) has no intention to stop it.Special note for Hassan (I dont hate you,, it’s just like your comments always make me feel bad), sorry for repeating this again and again, I also have some relatives died because of violence, because of racism and it doesnt make me go to the street with my face covered and slaughter every pribumi that I see, right?
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Good people? What is your definition for good people? To use your vocabulary: I have read, that good people are those who love their neighbour independently their religion/faith and skin colour (read: race), and those which are helpful, peaceful, relisgious without being fanatic, those who works honestly to earn money. More?
But maybe this definition I’ve read is out of date?Good people have many meanings, but here I mean, some of them arent bad boys/criminals, not someone who like disturbing other neighbours. But your definition is never out of date, friend. It’s my definition too.
I am just going to correct you here, simple, because they are cowards, and they don’t want others to recognise them.
Cowards don’t wanna die, my friend, even looking for one. 🙂
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Robert asks
And what about the masks, are they afraid they get a sunburn?
Rockstar asks
Now the question is, why did they cover their mouth?
Maybe because they are embarassed/ ashamed that no lady wanted to be their 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) wives. Hence the anger and outrage. 😉
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Hi 1ndra,
Cowards don’t wanna die, my friend, even looking for one.
Well, I don’t think those people are really willing to die, they are there to show that they are willing to kill, not willing to die, if you look at the videos, suicide bomber never hide their face, only the leaders who are too scared to do it themselves.
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Achmad Sudarsono says:
Friend: the laskar jihad is not the good one. Everyone knows the samurai sword is an old weapon!
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Robert:
“How do you know these guys lost family members? What kind of ‘necessary protective precautions’ are you talking about? It seems to me you know these guys very well, because you are so convinced of their good intentions.”
I had the same questions. How do we know that those people were just some “thugs for hire?” or only a bunch of foolhardy “religious fanatics”? A view which some of us truly believed in.
It seems you missed out on the last big strife there, it wasn’t pretty. No Robert, what happened wasn’t the victimized Christians stories you read on western press. Hordes of Muslims were murdered and driven from their homes, much like the genocide in the Balkans. By saying that I didn’t meant to say the violence was a one way affair, both parties were guilty of brutal acts of violence and the police were helpless. In fact, the police took sides depending on their own respective religions. What else can you do to protect your relatives?
“BTW, If their intentions are so noble, why do they have to pose as fishermen and go to Makassar in small boats? Why not take the ferry instead? And what about the masks, are they afraid they get a sunburn?”
Of course they feared that the police will stop them from going to Poso. On the other hand, they can’t rely on the police to keep their relatives in Poso save. But I’m speaking generally here, I don’t know and won’t pretend to know about their individual motives.
Tomaculum:
“Ah, ya, maybe they have relatives in Poso, hmm? Or maybe not? Or is this because Muslims in the whole world are brothers, so they view the Poso Moslems as relatives?”
That is one aspect, the other was the answer to this question: If you lived in Germany, does that means it will be impossible for you to have relatives living in Sulawesi, for example? 🙂
“If you ask me, I would answer: no! Not for a nasi bungkus, but also not for billions of dollars.”
How about for the safety of your loved ones? Would you? Oh and don’t forget you can’t rely on the authorities to ensure their safety in this case.
Dimp:
“Can you please elaborate more, what you meant by brotherhood here, I have seen people killing each other regardless of their religion, in Iraq the Sunni and Shiah are killing each other, in Palestine the Hamas and Fatah are killing each other, why the Laskar Jihad are not sent there?”
It’s a complex issue and quite difficult to understand, unless you’re familiar with the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
Try this link: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=19195.
MISS INDO 07:
“Special note for Hassan (I dont hate you,, it’s just like your comments always make me feel bad)”
I’m sorry if my comments sounded awful for you, I surely didn’t meant it that way. One thing for sure, I didn’t deliberately post comments that I knew that it will hurt others. I can only think that the reason was because we are what people will say “on the different sides of the fence”, we had different perspective on some matters.
Perhaps all of us should try to look beyond ‘the fence’.
“sorry for repeating this again and again, I also have some relatives died because of violence, because of racism and it doesnt make me go to the street with my face covered and slaughter every pribumi that I see, right?”
I’m deeply sorry about the loss of your loved ones, but we can’t accuse those Laskar Jihad people of wanting to slaughter every Christians that they see either, can we?
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Well, I don’t think those people are really willing to die, they are there to show that they are willing to kill, not willing to die, if you look at the videos, suicide bomber never hide their face, only the leaders who are too scared to do it themselves.
Wew, if they wear masks, they’ll ‘bombed with bogem mentah’ by public before they could trigger their bombs. 😀
Oh if you don’t wear masks, don’t forget to hide your bombs, no one know if your bombs would get malfunction.
“Aaaahhh, death to America….oh sh*t”. 🙂 -
Hassan,
That is one aspect, the other was the answer to this question: If you lived in Germany, does that means it will be impossible for you to have relatives living in Sulawesi, for example?
And you sure, that many of these people have relatives in Poso? Seriously? Come on, Hassan! We are frequently in disagreement with another, but I have always respect your argumentations. But this argumentation is a little bit naive, isn’t it?
How about for the safety of your loved ones? Would you? Oh and don’t forget you can’t rely on the authorities to ensure their safety in this case.
I wouldn’t take any payment to protect the safety of my loved ones, Hassan. I would give my live gratis for this, but I wouldn’t risk my life for such stupid things. I hope you see the difference in the two statements.
In Germany I can rely on the authorities for your safety even if you are not looking like a german, but in Indonesia the authority is a part of this chaos, isn’t it? And you are sure that the Laskar Jihad people can ensure the safety of their relatives (or what ever you call it) in Poso? With such actions? By doing revenge? 🙁Once again, it is sad and disgusting what happens in and with Indonesia.
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Hassan,
It seems you missed out on the last big strife there, it wasn’t pretty. No Robert, what happened wasn’t the victimized Christians stories you read on western press. Hordes of Muslims were murdered and driven from their homes, much like the genocide in the Balkans. By saying that I didn’t meant to say the violence was a one way affair, both parties were guilty of brutal acts of violence and the police were helpless. In fact, the police took sides depending on their own respective religions. What else can you do to protect your relatives?
Of course I will believe that there was a lot brutal violence from both sides. And maybe these guys do have relatives on Sulawesi, and go there for protection.
There are hundreds of people who visit their relatives on Sulawesi and take the ferry. What would distinguish these guys from other (Muslim) ferrypassengers? Is it only their clothing? This raises a question however, how is the police going to stop these guys then?I can’t believe the police will arrest them on the charge of familyvisit.
They may have good intentions, but they have all appearances against them.As long as the police is choosing sides, there will always be the problem that people take the right in their own hands, and the danger of civil unrest will be present.
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Btw:
I miss the comment:
“It is CIA’s work” -
No, they’re thugs hired by Mossad. 😀
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Hi Hassan,
It’s a complex issue and quite difficult to understand, unless you’re familiar with the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
So because it is complex and difficult to understand, people just blow each other up?
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They’re probably the same mob who are hired for political rallies/campaigns. You know the ones who just need to change their t-shirts to a different color?
I think rockstar is right, they cover their face because they farted at the same time.
Hassan, no I won’t take nasi bungkus as payment. No way dude! I have better things to lobby about than being a muna person. But you know that there are a lot of starving people in Indonesia whose mind is easily corrupted. Anyone’s mind is easily corrupted when tummy is empty. And people do kill for petty crime over there. Hello??? Pos Kota??? Or you just read the ‘Nah Ini Dia’ section? (Mmmmm I actually miss that dodgy paper!)
What I don’t get is why the govt seems not to do anything and instead, they are just taking it in. This is democracy gone wrong.
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