Indonesian Islamists 'exploit political vacuum' ahead of Widodo presidency
Room to grow for jihadist group as Indonesia focuses on transition of presidency, experts warn
A political vacuum in Indonesia as the nation transitions from the presidency of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to that of newly elected Joko Widodo has opened up space for a fugitive militant with links to Islamic State to expand his influence.
Abu Wardah Santoso, wanted since 2007, is the leader of a small but increasingly dangerous militant group called East Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT) in Poso on the island of Sulawesi.
"Santoso is a self-styled commander of MIT and he is the first Indonesian, as far as we know, to pledge allegiance to al-Baghdadi after the announcement of the caliphate," Sidney Jones, director of the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict, said.
"He (Santoso) has appeared on videos, pledging allegiance and declaring support for Islamic State … there have been Islamic State members in Syria who have referred to MIT and praised them as a jihadist group. There are people who trained with Santoso who are currently fighting with Islamic State," added Jones.
The government says 66 Indonesians have travelled to Iraq and Syria to fight and four have died there. It is currently monitoring areas prone to radical movements, including Poso, Ambon in the Maluku Islands, and eastern and central Java.