Govt blocks passports of former Indonesian terrorists abroad

Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, announced that the government will immediately block the passports belonging to Indonesian nationals who are allegedly involved in overseas terrorist groups such as ISIS.

Mahfud MD said the list containing identities of these foreign terrorist fighters (FTF) will be used as a reference to block this group of people from entering Indonesia.

“Blocked passports. As soon as the names are handed to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, [these people] are immediately blocked,” said Mahfud MD in South Jakarta on Wednesday, February 12.

This follows yesterday’s announcement where the government has officially dropped its plan to repatriate Indonesians abroad that are considered as foreign terrorist fighters and a national threat.

Out of the 689 identities allegedly involved in ISIS activities, the coordinating minister said 288 of them have been confirmed while the rest lack several personal details. “Their identities are on their way to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights to be blocked.”

Mahfud MD has expressed fear that these Indonesian foreign terrorists will attempt to return home illegally.

Source: Tempo