US puts two Indonesians on latest terrorist list

JAKARTA. The US Treasury Department has designated two Indonesians, Said Ahmad Sungkar and Afif Abdul Majid, as individuals linked to what it considers Indonesia-based terrorist organizations.

According to a press statement dated Sept. 18, Sungkar had been involved in a number of fundraising efforts and provided financial, material and technological support to the Jamaah Islamiah (JI) and Jemaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT) operatives while they were being pursued by law enforcers.

These organizations were built, inspired and led by firebrand cleric Abu Bakar Ba’asyir. Ba’asyir, who is currently in prison for his involvement in a terrorist paramilitary camp in Aceh.

As for Afif, who is a member of the JAT board of leadership, he was noted for his role in providing funding to a terrorist training camp and overseeing its recruitment process. According to the press release, Afif
had also donated US$ 2,000 to the paramilitary camp in Aceh in 2010.

Commenting on the list, JAT spokesman Sonhadi said the press release was slanderous. He also said that the release was a warning from the US government for its Indonesian counterpart to continue
suppressing Abu Bakar Ba’asyir.

He also said that the counterterrorism operation was merely a way for the US to continue its grasp over Indonesia’s natural resources and wealth. (dic)