Terror Acts by Dr. Azahari of The Al-Jamaah Alislamiyah Organization: The Use of Signature Bombs

Dr. Azahari was one of the intellectual actors who detonated bombings carried out by Al-JI organization in Indonesia. Interestingly, the bomb made by Dr. Azahari has a special feature known as a signature bomb. Dr. Azahari taught some Al-JI members, even wrote a book about bombmaking and distributed it. This research used the Theory of Needs from McClelland to analyze the background and goals of Dr. Azahari in making the signature bomb. The purpose of this research is to anticipate Al-JI organization, its affiliates, and other individuals or groups that have the potential to become terrorists or make bombs. This research used a qualitative approach with data collection techniques, namely literature study and interviews. Also, to validated the research, the research conducted a triangulation technique. The results showed that Dr. Azahari was involved in an act of terror because it was influenced by the problems he was experiencing and his environment. Although there are bombs that are similar to those made by Dr. Azahari, the authorities easily recognize Dr. Azahari’s bomb because there is a signature that represents the psychological needs of him. It is the a esthetic value of circuit design in every bomb he made. Signature bombs were made because they are motivated by the Need of Achievement that underlies selfactualization. Dr. Azahari case points out that highly educated individuals can be involved in terrorism, and their involvement is more dangerous