Block the terrorists' bank accounts

Chief of Indonesia's Central Java Police Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi has asked Bank Indonesia, the central bank, to block 10 private bank accounts allegedly being used by a terrorist network.

Didi said the terrorist network had robbed banks to finance their activities, including the JW Marriott Hotel bombing in Jakarta on Aug. 5.

Money stolen from the Bank Lippo in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra province, and from a money changer in Dumai in Riau province were used to fund this terrorist network.

Results of police investigations that bank robberies have been used to finance terrorist activities, should make the government, especially Bank Indonesia, extra aware of certain bank accounts which have been used by irresponsible people.

The central bank and the Indonesian Police should thus team up to investigate whether or not other bank accounts have also been used to fund terrorism.

It is high time to launch systematic and comprehensive efforts to wipe out widespread terrorism.

All components of the nation should thus push political elite leaders to eradicate terrorism seriously.

Leaders should unite in launching concrete efforts to wipe out terrorism in the country, instead of trading discourses.

Bank Indonesia should support efforts to block the 10 private bank accounts so as to trace the flow of funds used by terrorists.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta