Reports have emerged that the once notorious Indonesian hardline Islamist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) is planning to disband.
This surprising development was made public in a video released on June 30, showcasing 16 senior JI members announcing the formal dissolution of the group and pledging their loyalty to the Indonesian state.
According to Abu Rusdan, a senior leader of JI, the group is now prepared to contribute positively to Indonesia’s growth and reputation.
The video’s authenticity has been confirmed by the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC). Sidney Jones from IPAC expressed that while it’s too early to predict the outcomes, the credibility of the members who signed the statement ensures widespread acceptance within the organization.
JI, founded in 1993 by Abu Bakar Bashir and Abdullah Sungkar, was most active in the early 2000s, carrying out several deadly attacks in Indonesia after receiving training and funding in Afghanistan.
Despite being previously disbanded following the 2002 Bali bombing, JI continued to operate covertly, mainly focusing on educational activities and proselytization.
Although JI has been suspected of planning terrorist attacks and conducting military training, it has not launched any violent attacks in Indonesia since 2009.
The reasons behind this change could be attributed to the robust counterterrorism efforts of Indonesian authorities and the internal transformations within JI. These factors have led to a shift in the group’s objectives and membership.
While JI has a complex and extensive network of members involved in various activities beyond terrorism, dismantling such an organization poses a significant challenge.
The future of JI schools, businesses, and communities remains uncertain, as they may continue to exist under different guises despite the group’s dissolution.
Given the intricate social fabric of extremist organizations, it raises the question of whether JI can truly disband or if its legacy will endure through alternative means.