Indonesia's new National Police Chief Sutarman has said preventative arrests will be part of the country's strategy to combat terrorism going forward.

"We are highlighting the early detection and prevention of possible attacks," Sutarman told Khabar Southeast Asia on October 31st. "This is important to prevent unnecessary killings as well as the associated social impact, such as physical damage to structures and economic damage caused by the attack."

Earlier the same day, Sutarman announced the arrest of eight suspects allegedly involved in recent attacks on police, something he vowed to crack down on in his tenure as national police chief, which began October 25th.

"In the past, our strategy was to make arrests after a terrorists attack. Now our strategy is to make arrests before they attack to prevent any economic impact. We will face all the risks despite being criticised for it," the Jakarta Globe quoted Sutarman saying.

According to Sutarman, the eight have close ties to Abu Roban, aka Untung Hidayat, who was slain in Central Java in May. Abu Roban had about 60 followers in his West Indonesia Mujahidin network according to police.

"They have a similar style in conducting crimes: using motorcycles, bringing weapons and committing robberies to fund their group," he said.

Rooting out radicalism

The presence of radicals in West Java is a serious concern for both the local government and religious leaders urging a comprehensive approach to combatting terrorism.

"It may be good to conduct an early arrest in anticipation of possible attacks," said Hasnul Khalid, chairman of the Forum for Religious Harmony (FKUB) in Bekasi. "However, it is also important to find the roots of the increasing radicalism in the region. That is also useful to find a new strategy in countering terrorism."

Hasnul said West Java's radicalisation may have been influenced by the area's history.

A movement to establish an Islamic state in Indonesia has been present in West Java since 1949. Sekarmadji Maridjan Kartosuwiryo led initial efforts through the hardline organisation Negara Islam Indonesia (NII). Though NII is now latent, its ideological seeds passed down through its teachings and through the internet, into groups like the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI).

"We need a comprehensive approach for deradicalisation and counterterrorism in Indonesia," said Mohammad Bahri, a religious leader in Tangerang.

Mohammad believes a combination of rule of law and community involvement in deradicalisation will increase security and peace in the region.

"We want a program that involves the government and civil society," he said. "We need to look at how communities can engage in this program and with the government," he added.

Families should be on guard

Indonesia also employed personal, family-based approaches to disengage individuals from militancy through its National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT).

"In case of deradicalisation in Poso, BNPT is co-ordinating with the family of former terrorists to help them to return to society by accepting them, and guiding them with more love and moral values," conflict resolution expert Samsu Rizal Panggabean told Khabar.

Further, BNPT assists former radicals in reintegration through vocational training, education and health insurance, Samsu said, encouraging families to be aware of the threat of radicalisation and recruitment of their members.