Prisoners are seen through a window of Tanjung Gusta Penitentiary in Medan, North Sumatra on July 12th, following riots and a fire the night before. Five people died and more than 200 prisoners escaped, including four terrorists whose whereabouts are still unknown. [Atar/AFP].

Indonesians are calling for greater vigilance after four convicted terrorists escaped during a massive prison break earlier this month. Authorities describe the four as dangerous and likely to resume terrorist activities.

More than 200 prisoners fled amid deadly riots at Tanjung Gusta Penitentiary in Medan, North Sumatra, on July 11th. Three prisoners and two guards were killed in the melee, which broke out after a day in which inmates at the overcrowded facility had been without water due to broken water pumps.

As of July 17th, police had recaptured 102 of the prisoners, North Sumatra Police spokesman Heru Prakoso told Suara Pembaruan. But the four terrorists were still at large.

"We will do whatever we can to get them and bring them to justice," National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) chief Ansyaad Mbai told Khabar Southeast Asia. "If they don't surrender, we will get them."

A murderous track record

Police have issued photographs of the four fugitives: Fadli Sadama, Abdul Gani Siregar, Agus Sunyoto, and Nibras. All were part of a cell that robbed a CIMB Niaga Bank branch in Medan in August 2010 to fund terror activities.

Fadli was also involved in the 2003 robbery of a Bank Lippo branch in Medan. The stolen funds were used to fund the bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta later that year, police say. Briefly incarcerated, he was released in July 2010 and resumed criminal activity the very next month.

He was arrested in Johor Baru, Malaysia in October 2010 for gun smuggling and deported to Indonesia. Convicted on multiple charges, he was sentenced to 11 years in September 2011.

"This group is very dangerous, and could return to action. They are the type that finish off their victims," police spokesman Heru said, according to Suara Pembaruan.

"This is the group that shot dead a Brimob officer guarding the CIMB Bank in Medan, and perpetrated the attack that killed three officers at the Hamparan Perak Police Headquarters. They specialise in robbing banks, and the result is bombings," he said.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian government has beefed up border security in response to the prison break.

"There is a possibility that these men might slip back into the country through illegal entry points along the coast," said Mohamad Fuzi Harun, the director of the Malaysian Special Task Force (Operations and Counter Terrorism), according to The Star daily on July 18.

Malaysian police and other agencies are patrolling the borders in anticipation of this possibility, he added.

"We are monitoring the situation closely and are in contact with our counterparts regarding the latest developments there," he said.

Situation "a cause for concern"

Indonesians expressed dismay and alarm over the escapes.

"Indonesia needs to tighten its law enforcement efforts on all levels," terrorism expert Al Chaidar told Khabar. He said the government should place convicted terrorists in designated facilities.

"Terrorism is not similar to ordinary crime. Ordinary crimes usually do not have any ideological value and have fewer consequences for the country. On the other hand, convicted terrorists, if they have successfully fled, they can seek revenge by killing more innocent people," he said.

"I think this situation is very embarrassing and a cause for concern. This is not the first time that this has happened," said Slamet Raharjo, a 48 year-old West Jakarta resident.

"Basri was a convicted terrorist in Ambon who escaped. I know the situation in Tanjung Gusta is more alarming. I just hope that in the future we can better anticipate and prepare for situations like this," he said. "They may flee to Malaysia or Singapore. Therefore, the government should engage in regional co-operation."

Muhammad Raharjo Khaliq, a 48 year-old Islamic cleric originally from West Sumatra, urged citizens to remain calm and to focus on their civic and religious duties.

"I know the current situation is alarming, but now is Ramadan. Let us all pray for good things. We as citizens will also keep our promise to help the authorities. If we find any suspicious actions, we will report it to the local police," he told Khabar.

"Ramadan is a holy month. Let us be in peace and finish our duty as good Muslims and pray for safety for all," he said.