Many Islamic OrganizationsAgainst ISIS: Chief Security Minister

Jakarta (Antara) - Several Islamic mass organizations in Indonesia do not agree with the ideology of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Djoko Suyanto, the coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs stated here on Monday (Aug 4). "According to the reports I received, many Islamic organizations, the hardline and moderate alike, are actually against the ideology," he claimed. Even terrorism prisoner Abu Bakar Baasyir has denied supporting the ISIS when questioned by the police, despite the existence of his letter, which stated his support to the ISIS, he added. Djoko Suyanto assured that the activities and movements of ISIS since its emergence has been monitored by several concerned institutions and ministries including security agencies. The government meanwhile lauded the religious leaders and clerics who had been vigilant towards the presence of the ISIS ideology in Indonesia, he noted. "ISIS is not a religious but an ideological issue," he added. The ideology followed by ISIS contradicts the country's "Pancasila" ideology and principle of unity in diversity, Suyanto emphasized. Pancasila stresses on five principles, which are belief in the divinity of God, just and civilized humanity, the unity of Indonesia, democracy guided by the inner wisdom in the unanimity arising out of deliberations amongst representatives, and social justice for all people of Indonesia. Military (TNI) commander General Moeldoko has called against allowing the ISIS ideology to grow in Indonesia because it may cause divisions in the community. "This issue is very serious, and therefore, it must not be allowed to develop in Indonesia," he stated at a meeting to exchange Idul Fitri greetings with TNI personnel at the TNI National Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta. He said the presence of the ISIS ideology can pose a threat to the people of Indonesia because it can cause divisions. Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin had earlier remarked that the ISIS organization is a movement with a radical ideology that uses terror and violence as a means to achieve its goals. He noted that the ISIS ideology runs against Pancasila, and it has declared Pancasila as a "thogut" (idol) that should be dealt with force. "This is already off-limits. Swearing and pledging allegiance to a foreign country or part of a foreign country may cause revocation of citizenship, and in view of that, we must support the law enforcers to work professionally to deal with them," he stressed. A video footage was uploaded on the social media network, YouTube, showing an Indonesian citizen fighting for ISIS and calling on fon fellow countrymen to join ISIS. (*)