Arguing about Hambali

Arguing about Hambali

Many countries have expressed relief over the arrest of suspected international terrorist, Hambali, in Thailand early last week.

The capture of Indonesian-born Hambali, however, has caused heated debate between the police, politicians, officials and certain groups in Indonesia that consider the arrest to have been stage-managed by the United States to corner a certain group.

Politicians said the government failed to secure Hambali from U.S. authorities, which have detained him in a secret location.

The government insisted that the arrest of the suspected terrorist was a joint achievement. The government said it did not object to Hambali being detained in an undisclosed location, so long as Jakarta is granted access to investigate him.

Why do we argue with one another every time a suspected terrorist is arrested?

Despite their poor performance, the authority of the Indonesian police and their task should be respected, because if not, who can be trusted to uphold the law?

Terrorism is a global threat against humanity. That is why we should support the police in unveiling the terrorist network.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta