"There are several areas that the BNPT has chosen to become the Nusantara Integrated Special Area (KKTN) as a soft approach for preventing the development of radicalism and terrorism," Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, said in a press statement issued on Wednesday.
There are a number of areas with potential in the tourism and creative economy sectors such as Bima in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and Malang in East Java, he informed.
Several programs at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy could be synergized with programs from the BNPT, he added.
They include the development of tourist villages and creative hubs as well as assistance and training related to skills development in the tourism and creative economy sector, he said.
For example, Bima has Maria tourist village in Wawo District, which can be developed for its potential, Uno said. Also, training and technical guidance from the ministry can be synergized with the BNPT anti-radicalization program, he added.
Related news: BNPT bolsters cooperation in deradicalization with Pesantren
Bima is under the coordinating area of the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Agency (BPOLBF) of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy because two of its sub-districts are included in the Komodo Biosphere Reserve Area, he explained.
Meanwhile, Head of the BNPT Commissioner-General Boy Rafli Amar said that Bima is one of the priority areas for the implementation of the anti-radicalization program.
“This KKTN is a means of the soft approach based on welfare development as our effort in the context of de-radicalization. This year, we are preparing two KKTN areas, namely East Java and NTB," he informed.
Furthermore, he stated that activities based on three pillars -- economic, education, and tourism -- will be carried out at the KKTN locations.
Related news: BNPT urges regions to divert greater attention to terrorism
Translator: M Baqir, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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