Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian National Counter-terrorism Agency (BNPT) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Dutch National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) on cooperation to handle terrorism.

The MoU was signed by BNPT chief Com.Gen. Suhardi Alius and Head of NCTV HWM Schoof in the presence of Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Rob Swartbol at the BNPT office here on Wednesday.

The BNPT chief said in a press statement here on Thursday the Netherlands has been interested in the way BNPT coping with terrorism in Indonesia, the worlds largest Muslim country.

The issue of foreign terrorists fighters (FTF) returnees is new for the Netherlands, Suhardi said, adding NCTV is interested in how BNPT had converted former terrorists into anti terrorism through the process of deradicalization.

He said with the MoU, the two agencies agreed to exchange information about terrorism.

"Our approach in carrying out the program of deradicalization is rare in other countries - involving ulemas, law apparatuses, psychologists and sociologists. They could interact directly with the convicts or suspects in prison," he said.

Schoof stressed on the importance of the MoU saying the MoU would strengthen cooperation between the two agencies in handling terrorism.

"Although only now the MoU was signed , President Joko Widodo and Prime Minister Mark Rutte have repeatedly talked about the MoU in the last G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany. It is important that it has come to reality," he said.

He said social media has also become something to be addressed by NCTV as terrorists and extremists use social media as a form of marketing instrument for recruitment.

"We have cooperated with leading social media known to be often used by terrorists such as Facebook and Twitter," he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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