Back move, integrate into society, ex-chief urges former members

He says deeper understanding of Islam prompted decision to disband terror group

- Aqil Hamzah and Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja

Former members of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) in the region should take their cue from the organisation's recent dissolution and look to reintegrate themselves into society, said Para Wijayanto, the former leader of the now-defunct terror group.

“We hope that (all former) members can support this decision of JI disbanding and reintegrate themselves so that they can become good citizens of their own countries,” said the 60-year-old, who was JI’s chief up till his 2019 capture and subsequent incarceration.

During an interview with The Straits Times on Sept 23 in Jakarta, Wijayanto said the regional group’s dissolution was motivated by a deeper understanding of Islamic teachings.

“We are steadfast in our piety, it’s just that we have done more in-depth research about Islam,” he said, adding that as long as a country respects Islam and the right of Muslims to practise their religion, then it should not be seen as a target.

“The world now has changed. Countries may not be Islamic, but they do not impede Islam, and so these are friendly countries.”

Formed in 1993, JI was the Southeast Asian affiliate of Islamist militant organisation Al-Qaeda.

The group aimed to establish a conservative Islamic state in Southeast Asia. After its co-founder Abdullah Sungkar’s death in 1999, its leadership transferred to several others before Wijayanto was named its emir, or top leader, in 2009.

Wijayanto held on to the position until 2019, when he was arrested along with his wife on the outskirts of Jakarta. He was sentenced to seven years’ jail in July 2020.

JI’s shift in perspective marks a distinct change from its radical approach of yesteryear, which led to violent attacks in the region that resulted in hundreds of deaths.