S1E4: Indonesia: Masked ‘ninjas’ and mass murders of suspected sorcerers

How the gruesome 1998 incidents paved the way for black magic to be criminalised last year in 2022, in the predominantly Muslim country of Indonesia. Synopsis (headphones recommended): A special edition 6-part series by The Straits Times in Singapore, exploring recent real crimes that gripped, horrified and laid bare the issues that afflicted societies in Asia. Episodes drop every fourth Tuesday of the month from April 25, 2023. Warning: This podcast is an audio documentary of a real crime case which may be troubling and upsetting to certain listeners. Listener discretion is advised. Sorcery is against Islamic teachings, but today, many in Indonesia still consult black magic practitioners for advice. In 1998, a series of killings by unknown masked 'ninjas', targeting suspected sorcerers in East Java, launched the community into a period of mass hysteria, violence and retaliation-attacks. The killings triggered discussions on the need and ways to regulate sorcery, to prevent similar instances and to stop people from taking the law into their own hands. The legal gap was finally plugged last year in 2022, when laws on sorcery were included in the revised Criminal Code passed by the Parliament. The government is also seeking to settle the case, along with 11 other human rights abuses, by non-judicial means.    ST’s Indonesia Bureau Chief Arlina Arshad narrates this podcast. The reporting and scripting for this episode was done by ST’s Indonesia Correspondent Linda Yulisman. Highlights (click/tap above): 4:20 Why sorcery has long been part of Indonesia’s life and culture, even among the nation's notable figures 10:05 From 1998 till 1999, a ferocious wave of hysteria spreads against purported black magic practitioners 20:15 Larger motives behind attacks? Understanding Banyuwangi region's history and Indonesia’s period of political transition 28:40 Were attacks likely carried out by trained assassins with links to the military? 33:35 Why it took decades to criminalise witchcraft and sorcery in Indonesia Interviews by: Linda Yulisman ([email protected]) Narrated by: Arlina Arshad ([email protected]) Executive Producers: Ernest Luis ([email protected]) and Tan Tam Mei ([email protected]) Podcast Producers: Hadyu Rahim & Fa'izah Sani Voiceovers: Hairianto Diman, Deepanraj Ganesan, Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, Dominic Nathan, Lee Nian Tjoe, Colin Tan, Eddino Abdul Hadi, Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim Copy editor: Choo Li Meng Follow ST’s True Crimes Of Asia Podcast:Channel: https://str.sg/i44TApple Podcasts: https://str.sg/i44qSpotify: https://str.sg/i44cSPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/Website: http://str.sg/stpodcastsFeedback to: [email protected] Linda Yulisman's articles: https://str.sg/iif5 Read Arlina Arshad's articles: https://str.sg/iifS --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #truecrimesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.