"The BNPT cannot be left alone in carrying out our counterterrorism measures," Wiranto stated, while addressing attendees to the National Counter-terrorism Agency`s working meeting here, on Thursday, Jan 17.
Instead, combating the acts and threats of terrorism is a collective responsibility of the entire elements of the nation, and the BNPT should be able to coordinate and synergize the huge potentials of the nation in carrying out the counterterrorism measures, he noted.
"Thus, building synergy is so important that all related ministries and agencies must be encouraged to assist the preventive counter-terrorism measures," Wiranto added.
In promoting the implementation of deradicalization programs from the upstream, for instance, the country`s counterterrorism agency needs cooperation with the Social Affairs Ministry, he said.
Without collaborating with the Social Affairs Ministry, it seems impossible for the agency to implement its deradicalization programs. "Where does it get the money? So, working with the Ministry of Finance, the National Development Planning Agency, and the Ministry of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reforms is important," he remarked.
According to Wiranto, the threats of terrorism would not vanish. Instead, the threats would get bigger or smaller. Indonesia should not let the threats become bigger.
Indonesia has become the target of attacks by terrorists since 2000, and the spread of radicalism and terrorism continues to threaten the country until now.
Antara noted that in May 2018, a church in the East Java city of Surabaya was attacked. Three years ago, the ISIS supporters in Indonesia had launched a suicide bombing and shooting attack in Jakarta on Jan 14, 2016, which led to the death of eight people, including three innocent civilians.
The incident has added to the list of deadly assaults carried out by terrorist cells in Indonesia. From 2000 to 2012, more than a dozen attacks took place in the capital city, including the Australian embassy bombing on Sept 9, 2004, and the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotel bombings on July 17, 2009.
One of the best ways to free Indonesia from the vicious circle of radicalism and terrorism is empowering women in the country, as they can actively contribute to rescue Indonesian children from being misled by terrorist recruiters.
The BNPT`s working meeting was attended by the agency`s head, Sen.Coms. Suhardi Alius, and several cabinet members, including Deputy Finance Minister Mardiasmo, National Development Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro, and State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reforms Minister Syafruddin.
Reporting by Syaiful Hakim, Rahmad Nasution
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Azizah Fitriyanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
