As crossing areas for the movement of people and goods, border areas serve as ideal places for terrorists to enter and leave a country illegally, BNPT prevention director Brigadier General Hamli said in a press statement released on Tuesday.
"In this regard we must adopt special approaches including stepping up border security involving both military and police personnel. On average the number of security personnel stationed in border areas is low," he said.
Speaking at a dialog on public involvement in counter-terrorism in border area in Morotai Island district, North Maluku province, on Tuesday, Hamli said terrorists can cross border areas including Morotai anytime to a neighboring country.
"They can also bring terrorism-related items easily to cross the border areas," he said.
The other special approach is improving the economy and living standard of the people living in border areas, he said.
"BNPT will coordinate with ministries and non-ministerial government agencies. We will tell them that we must pay attention to the economy and living standard of the people," he said.
Touching on the Morotai Island district government`s program to provide Rp1.2 million in allowances to each of imams and priests in 187 places of worship, he said the program is a positive breakthrough.
"That is a positive special approach. By providing them with allowances the government can prevent places of worship from being used to spread radicalism and terrorism," he said.
Reported by Sigit Pinardi
Edited by Suharto, Andi Abdussalam
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
