"We listen to and understand aspirations of various segments, gather suggestions and views of the public as part of the deliberations related to the Bill on terrorism. Today, we heard the BNPT and ex-terrorist Ali Imron," Arsul Sani, member of the special committee, said at the Parliament Building, here on Thursday.
The committee listens to various stakeholders to understand all aspects and not just views that only laud or blame the police.
The committee takes a studied position. If there is a proposal that the police needs to be given more authority, then there should also be a provision for supervision, he explained.
"The task of the Parliaments Special Committee is to strike a balance between what the law enforcement bodies need and the concerns of the public. It should be mediated," he remarked.
BNPT Chief Suhardi Alius said that his agency is carrying out a de-radicalization program which is persuasive and inviting.
Terrorists relatives, who have been influenced by radicalism, should be re-embraced through various means.
De-radicalizing them requires a humane approach, for instance by equipping them with skills training.
As a counter-terrorism strategy, de-radicalization efforts and prosecution of those nabbed should go hand in hand, he said.
He, however, said his agency could not carry out de-radicalization program alone and needed the support of other relevant ministries and agencies such as the Communication and Informatics Ministry.
Alius said the ministry could block websites disseminating radical propaganda so that the Indonesian public is not exposed to it.
In the meantime, Ali Imran lauded the Committees initiative to talk to ex-terrorists like himself.
He believed that it was crucial to invite ex-terrorists to talk so that the legislators understand their way of thinking, and their beliefs.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
