The Indonesian government paid out 24 billion rupiah (US$1.7 million) in compensation to 142 victims of terrorism and their families in Central Sulawesi, a province where Islamic militants have carried out attacks since the 2000s.
A report on BenarNews said one of those who received compensation on March 4 was the widow of Marten Solong, one of four Christian farmers killed by militants with the Islamic State-linked Eastern Indonesian Mujahideen (MIT) group, in Poso last May.
“We are very grateful for this assistance,” said Maria Solong in an interview with reporters after the ceremony at the provincial governor’s office.
“Some of the money will be used to buy daily necessities and the rest will be used to start a farming business,” she said.
Indonesia’s 2018 anti-terrorism law was rushed through parliament following suicide bombings in May 2018 that targeted churches in the country’s second largest city, Surabaya.
The attacks took the lives of 22 people, including the bombers. The law mandates compensation for terrorism victims.
In 2020, Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo signed a government decree that grants compensation, restitution and assistance to citizens victimized in terrorist attacks that occurred before 2018.
The presidential decree replaced the 2018 law that did not apply retroactively. It stipulates that victims of past acts of terrorism are entitled to compensation, medical assistance, or psychological rehabilitation.
Before 2018, compensation was given on a case-by-case basis, usually by court orders.
Reports said Jakarta has so far spent slightly more than 59 billion rupiah (US$4.1 million) to compensate thee victims and their families.
