07/21/2020 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) – Only Tuesday, Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo signed a government decree granting compensation, restitution and assistance to victims of terrorist attacks that occurred before 2018, according to the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK).

BenarNews reports that the decree, which came into force on July 8, replaced one issued two years ago that did not apply retroactively. “Victims of past acts of terrorism are entitled to compensation, medical assistance or psychosocial and psychological rehabilitation,” the decree says.

Most of these attacks were launched by Jemaah Islamiyah (JAD), an IS-linked regional terrorist group. These militants typically target tourist spots, churches, or law enforcement to flex their muscles.

Edwin Partogi, deputy chairman of LPSK, a state organ said victims of these attacks and others before 2018 must submit an application no later than June 22, 2021, for compensation. If not, they are considered to have forfeited their rights to compensation.

Edwin said the government did not have records for many of the victims because they had chosen to move on or had no medical records. There are at least hundreds of victims who have yet to receive compensation.

Several church bombings took place in Indonesia since 2000, with one on Christmas Eve in 2000, where a series of explosions occurred in Indonesia as part of a large-scale terrorist attack by Al Qaeda and JAD. The attack involved a series of coordinated bombings of churches in Jakarta, Pekanbaru, Medan, Bandung, Batam Island, Mojokerto, Mataram, and Sukabumi.

Dozens of lives were lost also during the September 2011 attack on Bethel Church in Solo and the November 2016 attack on Samarinda church.

Cipto Wibowo, chairman of the Indonesian Survivors Foundation (YPI), a group representing survivors and relatives of terror victims, praised the government’s latest initiative.

“It may be material compensation, but it is a form of justice afforded to victims who have suffered for more than a decade,” he said.

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].