Police in Central Sulawesi suspect that four men arrested October 5th have links to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

"The four people arrested have ties to the terrorists arrested in Poso on September 13th. Therefore, we suspect they may have links to ISIS," Central Sulawesi Police Chief Ari Dono Sukmanto told Khabar Southeast Asia.

"They were arrested for a motorcycle robbery," he said, adding they were likely engaged in fai (robbery to fund terrorism). "By tracing the histories of the four people we arrested, we suspect they have links to the terrorist network of Santoso."

On September 13th, police arrested four members of China's ethnic Uighur minority in Central Sulawesi Province,and three Poso residents suspected of hosting them. Security officials have been closely monitoring the area, Ari said.

"Continuous arrests in the region have proven that terrorist networks remain active," he said.

Jihadists misusing spirit of brotherhood, generosity

Terrorism expert Wawan Purwanto said ISIS' growth in Indonesia can be attributed to multiple reasons.

"Indonesia in general has a spirit of brotherhood. With the world's largest Muslim population, Indonesians have used every moment to help other Muslims who are suffering," Wawan told Khabar. "Militancy is growing really fast in the country in part because of a misguided attempt to help other Muslims.

"The spirit of generosity has been used by jihadists to fund their movement."

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Chairman Said Aqil Siradj said the practice of zakat – donating money to assist the needy – is sometimes exploited by jihadists to trick people into giving them money.

Zakat "is to help others, not to kill others. Therefore, as Muslims, we have to be careful to track where our zakat money goes," he told Khabar. " Fai is not zakat ; it is haram. Not to mention the purpose behind it is for terrorism."

Indonesians need to be careful before joining radical organisations, he added.

"ISIS actions and beliefs are not in accordance with Islam nor are other radical organisations who try to enforce Islamic law through violence ," he said. "It is because Islam itself is about peace and not violence."

Palu resident Vera Adriana said she sometimes feels afraid in Sulawesi now.

"I hope the government will continue its efforts in curbing terrorism and keeping everyone safe," she told Khabar.

She added that Sulawesi residents must unite against this wrong jihad .

"Unfortunately, many people still do not understand the meaning of jihad or the wrongdoing that ISIS has committed," she added. "More education on this is necessary for people in Sulawesi."