Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin laid emphasis that acts of terrorism and the spread of radicalism are not related to religion on grounds that no religions explicitly teach or promote resorting to violence.

"Terrorism has nothing to do with religion. There is no religion that tolerates acts of terrorism, violence, killing other people, and even killing himself," Vice President Amin remarked after observing the COVID-19 vaccination in North Barito of Central Kalimantan on Tuesday.

Amin noted that the government had striven to fight radicalism and terrorism in Indonesia, including by providing understanding, education, and guidance to the community.

Furthermore, efforts are being intensified to deradicalize people exposed to radicalism.

"In fact, (radical) cells are present everywhere. Sometimes it does not appear. However, when the radical network suddenly appears, the government will continue to fight radicalism and terrorism," he affirmed.

Earlier, a suicide bomb attack took place at the Makassar Cathedral Church in South Sulawesi on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. local time. The bomb killed two people suspected of being the perpetrators of the attack.

The Special Detachment 88 Anti-terror Team then arrested 13 suspected terrorists in Makassar, West Nusa Tenggara, DKI Jakarta, and West Java.

Indonesian National Police Chief General Police Listyo Sigit Prabowo stated that the four suspected terrorists arrested in Makassar had links to the two suicide bombers at the Makassar Cathedral Church on Sunday.

Meanwhile, during the arrest operation in Condet of East Jakarta and Bekasi of West Java, the police arrested four terror suspects and secured evidence of five active bombs and explosive materials. Related news: 13 suspected terrorists nabbed after Makassar suicide bombing: police
Related news: MUI condemns bomb attack in Makassar Cathedral Church


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Translator: Fransiska Ninditya, Katriana
Editor: Suharto
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