COUNTERTERRORISM -- GOI ARRESTS JI-LINKED SUSPECTS

S E C R E T JAKARTA 001112 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, S/CT, DS NSC FOR E. PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER ASEC ID SUBJECT: COUNTERTERRORISM -- GOI ARRESTS JI-LINKED SUSPECTS REF: JAKARTA 643 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, for reasons 1.4 (b+d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Indonesian National Police counterterrorism units recently arrested several suspected terrorists in Central Java and one in Sumatra. The GOI has publicly confirmed three arrests, though there may have been more. Those arrested include two Singaporean nationals plus an Indonesian who is alleged to be an Afghanistan-trained member of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) with connections to wanted fugitive Noordin M. Top. The latest operations underscore the GOI's impressive counterterrorism track record--and also the fact that threats remain. END SUMMARY. CENTRAL JAVA ARRESTS ¶2. (C) Indonesia has netted more arrests of alleged terrorists. Indonesian police arrested a suspect with connections to Noordin M. Top, Indonesia's most wanted JI fugitive, on June 21. Syaifuddin Zuhri (alias "Sabit," alias "Sugeng") was arrested in his home in Cilacap, Central Java. Syaifuddin is allegedly an Afghanistan-trained member of JI who reportedly at one point housed Top. ¶3. (C) In addition, according to police reports, Syaifuddin supplied a gun to the Palembang militant group responsible for killing a Protestant pastor in 2007 and planning an attack on Western-style cafes in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra. Syaifuddin, with his apparent connections to Noordin Top, allegedly played an important role in radicalizing the "Palembang group" of ten militants arrested in July 2008 and sentenced in April (reftel). His arrest may be a result of information obtained from the arrested members of this group and could lead to further operations regarding key fugitives (see more below). GOI PICKS UP SINGAPOREANS ¶4. (C) Also on June 21 in Solo, Central Java, police arrested Husaeni (one name only),an alleged JI member of Singaporean nationality. Husaeni was reportedly the last member of a group of Singaporean extremists who fled to Indonesia via Medan, Sumatra, in early 2002, according to International Crisis Group's Sidney Jones. The Singaporean group included Mas Slamet Kastari, who was recently arrested in Malaysia after escaping from prison in Singapore. During the June 21 operation, police also arrested Husaini's wife and son, according to press reports. ¶5. (U) On June 25, Police Chief Bambang Hendarso Danuri confirmed to the press that the police had also arrested a second Singaporean named Samad bin Subari (alias "Syamsul Anwar") in Lampung, Sumatra. Unconfirmed press accounts report that police made a total of six arrests, including five Singaporean nationals, but the GOI has not confirmed this. MORE TO COME? ¶6. (S) Police Chief Danuri also told reporters that he personally hoped the recent arrests would lead to "a big catch." By this, he meant the arrest of Noordin Top, the most senior member of JI who is still on the run. Headquarters police officers sent to Central Java for the arrests confirmed to us that they expected further arrests down the road. The latest operations underscore the GOI's impressive counterterrorism track record--and also the fact that threats remain. HUME