Indonesia’s Presidential Tug‑of‑War Over a 2002 Terrorist’s Freedom
Picture this: the world’s largest Muslim‑majority country is wheeling through politics, and the stakes are higher than a banana split in a jungle. At the center of the drama is an 81‑year‑old cleric, Abu Bakar Bashir, who made headlines for 2002 Bali bombings and now faces a prison‑break eligibility that could split both religious and political circles. President Joko Widodo is stepping onto the stage—only to put a twist on the upcoming grand finale: he wants Bashir to swear allegiance to the nation before he gets a ticket out.
“Conditional Release” – Because Even Prisoners Need Loyalty Oaths
Last week, Widodo casually announced Bashir would be freed on humanitarian grounds. That was the “moral” part—age and health. But the legal adviser? Equal parts legalese and drama—that Bashir would get an unconditional release. The plot thickens the next day after the chief security minister warned a review is underway.
Widodo’s statement was all about conditions: “Ensure loyalty to Indonesia’s unitary state, to Pancasila—our secular ideology. That’s a core requirement.” The rules a convict must obey before being granted early release are simple: pledge your love for the state and promise not to repeat the crime.
Bashir Doesn’t Straddle the Board
Lawyers say the elder yidk would refuse the loyalty pledge. He’s known as the spiritual boss of Jemaah Islamiah (JI), which, in conspiracy‑theory circles, links to al‑Qaeda. He was convicted for ties to militant camps in Aceh, spent 15 years in jail, and—uh—never got a conviction for the Bali attacks or the 2003 Jakarta Marriott bombing, though his buddy claims he was the mastermind.
International Frownings and “No Leniency” Motions
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison—quick to flatten the “Allah” vibe—rolled in to avoid Bashir ruling the roost. “We’ve emphasised an absolute position: no influence, no incitement.” He went on a one‑sentence tirade on Monday.
Political Spin & Conservative Gambits
Domestically, the Iz the rumour mill ticks
- Widodo’s votes on April 17 faces a war on faith.
- Conservative voters may feel betrayed if: Bashir free.
- Some in the party fear a loss of moderate support.
- “So all we’re worried about is how many votes this will lose, not gain.”
Data fans say: Widodo leads by double digits over rivals in most polls, yet the 2014 campaign charmed him into a “communist” rumor circle—he’s had to keep his Islamic credentials from slipping into the pits again. One gizmo of a strategy was picking an Islamic cleric as a running mate.
Even with Praemand, a former general, in the background, the “Islamic credits” ground keep countering. Analysts wonder if releasing Bashir will help or hurt the Cabinet vote.
Behind the 1‑mood Street
Security officials are like “Let’s not make a martyr in jail.” They worry the prison death might make Bashir a hero. Chaplainless yet, they vote for a mild approach—perhaps a house‑arrest while still giving the key.
Sidney Jones—a terror‑yog in the field—warned that a “no‑condition” release could ship Bashir to “hero status” height beyond the state’s foundation and leave Widodo looking like a weak actor who can’t decide. “It risks turning him into a hero because he defied the state.”
Survivor Opinion – “Crazy,”
Bill McNeil, one of the 2002 bombing survivors, said it was a “craziness” the state would execute people on drug crimes while letting a terror mastermind roam free:
“It feels insane they’ll execute people for drug offences but let this guy go free.”
In short, Indonesia’s newest on‑tape drama is all about a former terror boss and presidential political divisiveness that ahed. Will Bashir thank the crown, or will we only get a ‘free‑but‑conditioned’ exit? Only time’s interaction-with-commuting policy will unveil the event‑ful story.