Latest news with #JemaahIslamiyah
CNA
5 days ago
- General
- CNA
New initiative to guide former members of Jemaah Islamiyah in Indonesia away from extremism
Former leaders of the now-disbanded terror group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) in Indonesia are taking new steps to distance themselves from the group's radical past. A new initiative, called Rumah Wasathiyah or 'House of Moderation', aims to guide former JI members away from extremism. Efforts are also underway to help Islamic boarding schools previously linked to JI transition toward more mainstream religious teachings. CNA's Saifulbahri Ismail reports.
Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Straits Times
Jemaah Islamiyah isn't dead
Para Wijayanto, the former leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, said the terror group regrets its actions, which have resulted in the loss of hundreds of innocent lives over the years. ST PHOTO: AQIL HAMZAH At dawn in late May , the iron gates of Cilegon Prison in West Java slid open. Para Wijayanto, 60, stepped into the light – a grizzled veteran of the Moro conflict, the last emir of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), and South-east Asia's fading link to Al-Qaeda. His grey robe fluttered in the morning breeze; his white skullcap sat neatly on his head. There was no fanfare. Only his wife, veiled in black, and a few plainclothes officers stood witness. The quiet release contrasted with the legacy of the group in which he was such a key figure: JI was behind the 2002 Bali bombings that killed over 200 people. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
05-06-2025
- CNA
Indonesian jailed over 2002 Bali bombings starts coffee business
SURABAYA: An Indonesian convicted in the deadly 2002 Bali nightclub bombings has launched his own coffee business after being released on parole, and has said he will use some of the earnings to help survivors of the attacks. Umar Patek, a member of the al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah group, was jailed for 20 years in 2012 after he was found guilty of making bombs that ripped through two Bali nightclubs, killing 202 people, including 88 Australians and 38 Indonesians. He was released on parole in 2022 and has apologised to the victims. Patek's release sparked anger in Australia and Indonesia. At the launch of the coffee business on Tuesday (Jun 3), a banner with Patek's face festooned a cafe in the Indonesian city of Surabaya on Java island. It is owned by dentist David Andreasmito and will use the beans Patek supplies and roasts. "I was still shell-shocked by the outside world," Patek said, adding he had trouble finding work after his release and was worried his image would affect the business. "The stigma of a former terrorism convict made it hard for me to find work," he said. Patek said he understood that many people were still angry with him but pleaded to them "not to let that doubt stick", adding he would give portions of his earnings to survivors. David said he went into business with Patek because he had apologised and wanted people to give him a second chance. Since Patek's release, Indonesian authorities have highlighted him as an example of the deradicalisation efforts launched by the world's most populous Muslim-majority country to counter a resurgence in Islamic militancy. Chusnul Chotimah, a survivor of the Bali attacks who is covered in burn scars and says she struggles to pay for life-saving treatments, jostled in front of the crowd to speak to Patek at the launch. "I used to have grudges against you," she said. 'I forgive you for what you did. I know you've changed for the better." Chusnul later said she hoped Patek could help out the survivors. "Don't just say sorry," she said. Tumini, another survivor, said in Bali's capital Denpasar that she is still struggling to pay for her treatment and that government aid should be prioritised for victims still in recovery.
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Man jailed for Bali bombing that killed 202 people starts coffee business
An Indonesian man convicted for his role in the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings has started a coffee business following his release on parole. Umar Patek, who was a member of the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah group, has pledged to donate a portion of the business's earnings to support survivors of the attacks. Patek was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2012 after being found guilty of constructing the bombs that devastated two Bali nightclubs, resulting in the deaths of 202 people, including 88 Australians and 38 Indonesians. He was granted parole in 2022 and has since issued an apology to the victims. His release triggered outrage in both Australia and Indonesia. The launch of Patek's coffee business was marked by a banner displaying his face at a café in Surabaya, Java. The café is owned by dentist David Andreasmito, who will be using coffee beans supplied and roasted by Patek. "I was still shell-shocked by the outside world," Patek said, adding he had trouble finding work after his release and was worried his image would affect the business. "The stigma of a former terrorism convict made it hard for me to find work," he said. Patek said he understood that many people were still angry with him but pleaded to them "not to let that doubt stick", adding he would give portions of his earnings to survivors. David said he went into business with Patek because he had apologised and wanted people to give him a second chance. Since Patek's release, Indonesian authorities have highlighted him as an example of the deradicalisation efforts launched by the world's most populous Muslim-majority country to counter a resurgence in Islamic militancy. Chusnul Chotimah, a survivor of the Bali attacks who is covered in burn scars and says she struggles to pay for life-saving treatments, jostled in front of the crowd to speak to Patek at the launch. "I used to have grudges against you," she said. 'I forgive you for what you did. I know you've changed for the better." Chusnul later said she hoped Patek could help out the survivors. "Don't just say sorry," she said. Tumini, another survivor, said in Bali's capital Denpasar that she is still struggling to pay for her treatment and that government aid should be prioritised for victims still in recovery.
New Straits Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Indonesian jailed for Bali bombing starts coffee business
SURABAYA: An Indonesian convicted in the deadly 2002 Bali nightclub bombings has launched his own coffee business after being released on parole, and has said he will use some of the earnings to help survivors of the attacks. Umar Patek, a member of the al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah group, was jailed for 20 years in 2012 after he was found guilty of making bombs that ripped through two Bali nightclubs, killing 202 people, including 88 Australians and 38 Indonesians. He was released on parole in 2022 and has apologised to the victims. Patek's release sparked anger in Australia and Indonesia. At the launch of the coffee business on Tuesday, a banner with Patek's face festooned a cafe in the Indonesian city of Surabaya on Java island. It is owned by dentist David Andreasmito and will use the beans Patek supplies and roasts. "I was still shell-shocked by the outside world," Patek said, adding he had trouble finding work after his release and was worried his image would affect the business. "The stigma of a former terrorism convict made it hard for me to find work," he said. Patek said he understood that many people were still angry with him but pleaded to them "not to let that doubt stick", adding he would give portions of his earnings to survivors. David said he went into business with Patek because he had apologised and wanted people to give him a second chance. Since Patek's release, Indonesian authorities have highlighted him as an example of the deradicalisation efforts launched by the world's most populous Muslim-majority country to counter a resurgence in Islamic militancy. Chusnul Chotimah, a survivor of the Bali attacks who is covered in burn scars and says she struggles to pay for life-saving treatments, jostled in front of the crowd to speak to Patek at the launch. "I used to have grudges against you," she said. "I forgive you for what you did. I know you've changed for the better." Chusnul later said she hoped Patek could help out the survivors. "Don't just say sorry," she said.
