To overcome problems of terrorism, multidisciplinary approach is needed. The government is not only responsible to search for and arrest the terrorists but also conduct an intervention toward terrorist prisoners both during arrests and after their return to the society.
“It is not ‘jihad’ that causes someone to become a terrorist, but the motivation in having an identity to be remembered as a martyr. The problem is that they are able to make that decision,†said the Psychology lecturer of UIN Sultan Syarif Hasim, Riau, Dr. Mirra Noor Milla, at a monthly seminar “’Profil Psikologis Teroris di Indonesia: Dasar bagi Penerapan Metode Counter Terrorism’, Thursday (10/9) at Policy Studies Magister (MSK) UGM.
According to Mirra, the previous study of Terrorist Groups in the Middle East showed that 80% of those arrested as terrorists will return as terrorists after their release from jail.With government intervention, however, the programme returning former terrorists to the society effectively proved that they can leave terrorism behind.
Added by the Doctor who was inaugurated from Faculty of Psychology, UGM last May, to understand terrorism conspiracy, focus should be moved to psychological aspect to know the terrorist’s way of thinking and their followers, because they do not have many considerations in acting and making decision,†said the lady born in Pekalongan on 24 April 1973.
The terrorists, said Mirra, generally show normal psychological condition in their daily life. But, they always limit themselves off the matters that they think not conforming to their religion. “They are guided with strong motivation, especially in making decision,†he said.
Mirra had conducted terrorist psychological research since 2003- 2009 in several places, such as Bali, Cipinang Prison, Tanjung Pusta Medan, and Polda Metro Jaya. She also analyzed 5 prisoner respondents living in Pekalongan, Serang and Lamongan. Her research resulted that the terrorist felt alienated in their life. That was caused by their will to live as true Muslim was not always fulfilled by their environment, system and values.
‘If others consider them to have tarnished Islam, they do not think the same. Terror fight against the rivals of Islam is considered as a good terrorism, so they are proud to become terrorists,’ she explained.