inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Reactions and opinion on the death of the suspected terrorist, dr. Sunardi, in Sukoharjo, Central Java, on Wednesday 9 March, is a common thing in a democratic country.
But critics should also look at it from a broader perspective. Members of Special Detachment (Densus) 88 can't take such extreme action without a strong reason behind it.
The police have a whole data that proves Sunardi is not only a doctor but also a leader of Jamaah Islamiyah (JI). The allegiance of Sunardi as a member of JI was even recognized by other JI members.
Moreover, dr. Sunardi also leads the Hilal Amar Society Indonesia, the JI under bow organization, tasked to fund and facilitate the departure of volunteers to Syria in recent years.
Densus 88 was forced to take that difficult decision because of situational reasons. Dr. Sunardi was being uncooperative when he was about to be secured, he even tried to hit or injure an officer. In that kind of situation, Densus 88 must take a quick and decisive step.
That last act of both parties can certainly be justified or strengthened by many witnesses who saw the arrest attempt. The use of a car that endangers the personnel is also endangering the community at the scene.