"Conflicts in several countries in the Middle East can be evidence that the division among people of a nation can be fatal," Alius said before three thousand new students at Widyatama University, Bandung, on Thursday.
Alius remarked in a press release that as a pluralistic country with hundreds of tribes and languages, Indonesia remains united and peaceful, and that is a blessing to be grateful for.
"But this pluralism will be crushed if we, as a nation, fail to care for it," the BNPT chief remarked.
Alius reminded that the people who are prone to conflict are very easy to be misled by radical ideology of terrorism.
Hence, he called on all parties, including the younger generation, to care for the pluralism by strengthening the sense of nationalism and avoiding radical ideologies of terrorism.
"If you talk about nationality, use your heart. Do not just use reason because what you say with your heart will be more touching," Alius pointed out.
Further, he added that this republic does not belong to an individual, but it belongs to posterity, so it needs wise management.
Reporting by Sigit Pinardi
Editing by Otniel Tamindael
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
