Indonesia’s FTF Returnee Framework: Densus 88, RAN PE, and Reintegration Challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35879/jik.v20i1.714Keywords:
Densus 88, RAN PE, Foreign Terrorist Fighters, Asymmetric Threats, Repatriation, DeradicalizationAbstract
This study employs a Qualitative Document Analysis (QDA) method to evaluate Indonesia’s repatriation framework. Data were purposively selected from three primary sources: (1) Statutory documents, including Presidential Decree No. 7/2021 (RAN PE) and Law No. 5/2018; (2) Official institutional reports from Densus 88 AT and BNPT regarding FTF management; and (3) Secondary academic literature from 2019–2024 to ensure contemporary relevance. The analysis followed a thematic approach: documents were first coded to identify the operational mandates of Densus 88, then triangulated against the pillars of RAN PE to identify implementation gaps. Finally, findings were derived through deductive reasoning, mapping these legal mandates against the practical challenges of reintegration in the field. The findings indicate that while Densus 88 plays a crucial role in early detection and neutralizing immediate tactical threats, the implementation of RAN PE faces hurdles in inter-agency coordination and the balance between security-centric measures and humanistic reintegration. The research highlights the necessity of a "unity of effort" between Densus 88 and social-sector stakeholders to prevent recidivism. Ultimately, this study concludes that the effectiveness of handling returning FTFs depends on the seamless integration of Densus 88’s specialized intelligence into the broader socio-ideological rehabilitation programs mandated by the RAN PE, ensuring that returnees are neutralized ideologically as well as tactically.Downloads
References
Ahram, A. I. (2019). The decentralized state and terrorism in Southeast Asia. Asian Survey, 59(4), 621-644. https://doi.org/10.1525/as.2019.59.4.621
Aslam, M. M. (2020). The Indonesian strategy in countering FTFs returnees. Journal of Strategic Studies and Security, 4(2), 115-130.
Azca, M. N. (2021). The trajectories of radicalism and deradicalization in post-authoritarian Indonesia. Journal of Indonesian Social Sciences and Humanities, 11(1), 45-62.
Bahar, A. S., & Pahrudin, P. (2022). Evaluation of the National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (RAN PE) in Indonesia. Journal of Governance and Public Policy, 9(3), 215-230.
Braddock, K. (2020). Experimenting with terror: The use of experimental designs in the study of terrorism and counterterrorism. Terrorism and Political Violence, 32(8), 1630-1649.
Hoffman, B. (2017). Inside terrorism (3rd ed.). Columbia University Press.
Horgan, J., & Braddock, K. (2010). Rehabilitating terrorists? Challenges in assessing the effectiveness of deradicalization programs. Terrorism and Political Violence, 22(2), 267-291.
Hwang, J. C. (2018). The disengagement of Indonesian jihadists: Understanding the pathways. Asian Survey, 58(5), 799-823.
Idris, I., & Taufiqurrohman, M. (2021). The role of Densus 88 in neutralizing the threat of ISIS returnees in Indonesia. International Journal of Cyber Warfare and Terrorism, 11(2), 1-15.
Istiqomah, M. (2020). De-radicalization program for terrorist prisoners in Indonesia: A social psychology perspective. Journal of Indonesian Legal Studies, 5(1), 127-156.
Kurniawan, Y. (2022). Security sector reform and counter-terrorism in Indonesia: The evolution of Densus 88. Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism, 17(2), 143-161.
Nova, R. A. (2025). Deradikalisasi WNI yang terasosiasi FTF: Implikasi perang saudara Suriah bagi keamanan nasional Indonesia [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Universitas Pertahanan Republik Indonesia.
Nurdin, N. (2021). Soft approach counter-terrorism: The case of Indonesian RAN PE. Journal of Strategic and Global Studies, 4(1), 33-51.
O’Hara, K. (2023). Gendered dynamics of FTF repatriation: Vulnerabilities and security. Global Security Review, 15(4), 88-104.
Pavlova, E. (2020). From combatants to citizens: The challenges of reintegrating FTFs in Southeast Asia. Contemporary Southeast Asia, 42(2), 211-235.
Peraturan Presiden Republik Indonesia Nomor 7 Tahun 2021 tentang Rencana Aksi Nasional Pencegahan dan Penanggulangan Ekstremisme Berbasis Kekerasan yang Mengarah pada Terorisme Tahun 2020-2024. (2021). Sekretariat Negara.
Prasetyo, A. (2024). Measuring the success of Idensos in community policing of ex-convicts. Journal of Police Science, 8(1), 22-40.
Ramakrishna, K. (2021). The soft and hard dimensions of counter-terrorism in Southeast Asia. Security Challenges, 17(2), 12-29.
Sageman, M. (2011). Leaderless jihad: Terror networks in the twenty-first century. University of Pennsylvania Press.
Setiawan, A., & Zulfa, E. A. (2023). Legal framework for handling foreign terrorist fighters: Analysis of Law No. 5 of 2018. Indonesian Law Review, 13(2), 189-210.
Sugiyono. (2018). Metode penelitian kualitatif. Alfabeta.
Susilowati, E., et al. (2023). Diplomatic and security implications of FTF repatriation: A macro analysis. Indonesian Journal of International Studies, 10(1), 12-30.
Undang-Undang Republik Indonesia Nomor 5 Tahun 2018 tentang Perubahan atas Undang-Undang Nomor 15 Tahun 2003 tentang Penetapan Peraturan Pemerintah Pengganti Undang-Undang Nomor 1 Tahun 2002 tentang Pemberantasan Tindak Pidana Terorisme Menjadi Undang-Undang. (2018).
Wibisono, S., Louis, W. R., & Jetten, J. (2019). A multidimensional analysis of religious extremism. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, Article 2560. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02560
Zulyani, H. (2022). The role of local government in RAN PE implementation: A case study of Poso. Journal of Regional Resilience, 5(2), 77-94.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Jurnal Ilmu Kepolisian
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
