by Mathias Hariyadi

Munarman , who is currently serving a three-year sentence, repeated the ritual words, swearing allegiance to the Indonesian state and Pancasila. In prison he followed a pilot project of deradicalisation, and helped improve it. His group was banned in December 2020 for terrorist and extremist activities.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Munarman, a radical Muslim leader and former spokesman for the Islamic Defence Front (FPI),[*] an extremist movement banned in December 2020 for its links with extremist groups, has sworn allegiance to the Indonesian state and its principles of pluralism (Pancasila).

From Salemba Prison (Central Jakarta) where he is purging a three-year sentence and to the surprise of many, the 54-year-old Munarman  recited the ritual formula and disavowed his extremist and violent past.

Speaking to journalists present at the event, he said that he was "strongly influenced" by the deradicalisation programme promoted in prison, in which "I let myself get involved".

"It is true that prison guards at the Salemba Prison played a very influential and significant role in my decision,” said the now former radical leader.

“I was involved in the programme design, so that it was more effective in influencing people," he added, praising once again the government programme aimed at “converting" extremists.

Another of the project’s objectives is to get diehard religious extremists to learn more about other religions and be friendlier towards other believers.

In the past, Munarman  was in the crosshairs of Indonesia’s National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT),[†] the Counterterrorism Special Detachment 88 (Densus 88),[‡] and the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs for violence and persecution against people, especially religious minorities.

Today he says that he has embarked on a new path and is grateful to government bodies that help him reintegrate in society.

“This is my personal message to those who are still tied to a radical ideology: We are called to broaden our spectrum of life so that we are not trapped in extreme [religious] ideologies. Openness and broad-mindedness are important so that we may accept any kind of (religious) differences.”

Salemba Prison Chief Warden Josaphat Rizanto claims that Munarman underwent a radical change in prison, which led him to follow with conviction the pilot programme promoted by the government.

"Today's ceremony in which Munarman  swore allegiance to the Republic of Indonesia is proof that the deradicalisation programme has been fruitful,” Rizanto said yesterday.

Similarly, Salemba Prison Legal Affairs and Human Rights Director Erwedi Supriyatno said that at least 168 diehards have made their "conversion" so far.

“Munarman’s new commitment means that he is politically ready to love the state and Pancasila and show tolerance towards other communities,” Supriyatno explained.

For many years, the Islamic Defence Front has been a real nightmare for Indonesian society, because of its acts of intolerance and extremist ideology, such as illegal "street operations" monitoring shops and businesses, as well as practices and activities in public during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and Islamic prayer.

In addition to terrorism, the group was involved in several sectarian and violent acts, in which both its leader, Rizieq Shihab, and its diehard spokesman, Munarman, "distinguished themselves"

For this reason, it was officially banned in late 2020

---

[*] Front Pembela Islam.

[†] Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Terorisme.

[‡] Detasemen Khusus 88 Antiteror.

• indonesia
• political islam
• islamism
• islamic defence front
• fpi
• conversion
• deradicalisation programmes
• munarman