Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Counter Terrorism Agency (BNPT) believes that five national "vaccines" initiated by the agency are able to reduce the threat of spreading intolerance, radicalism, and terrorism.

"We term these five 'vaccines' to fight against the virus spread by those, who carry the ideology of terrorism," BNPT Head Boy Rafli Amar stated in Jakarta, Monday.

Amar made the statement at the bureaucratic reform workshop themed "Strengthen the capacity of bureaucratic reform to create BNPT personnel with integrity, nationalism, professionalism, and commendably in carrying out the task of countering terrorism effectively."

The agency head explained that the five national "vaccines" are the transformation of national insight, revitalization of Pancasila values, religious moderation, preservation of the nation's cultural roots, and finally the transformation of welfare development.

The former Papua Police chief remarked that the BNPT alone cannot implement the five national "vaccines" since in fighting intolerance, radicalism, and terrorism, the cooperation of all parties is deemed necessary.

Amar elaborated that national insight is Indonesia's perspective in seeing itself by prioritizing unity and oneness. The BNPT focuses on strengthening four national consensuses: the 1945 Constitution, Pancasila (Five Principles), NKRI, and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).

"These four national consensuses are important, so that we do not forget what the founders of the nation had agreed to," he explained.

Second, the institution continues to strengthen Pancasila values. Specifically in this aspect, the BNPT assesses that its functions will not overlap with those of BPIP, as strengthening Pancasila is the duty of all people of the nation.

The third "vaccine", religious moderation, which the BNPT considers will also not clash or overlap with the Ministry of Religion. This is because radical groups always use religious narratives. In fact, basically, religion aims to build the morals of the people, not be misused, or not create disunity.

"Let us talk about tolerance in religion," he remarked.

Moreover, BNPT continues to promote the preservation of the nation's cultural roots. The goal is that thousands of cultural assets that are actually national identities are still rooted and can fight ideologies that are not in accordance with Pancasila, including other cultural issues.

The BNPT head, whose traditional title is Datuak Rangkayo Basa, said that he had also written letters to ministries and institutions to display various cultural arts, dance, music, and so on while holding an activity.

The last "vaccine" is related to the transformation of welfare development. In this aspect, if the government can maximize it through the national development program, then it is believed that there will be no more marginalized people.

The 1988 Police Academy graduate observed that people in the marginalized category were often exploited or easily influenced by terrorist groups. Hence, the government's attention is needed for marginal communities, especially in terms of boosting welfare.

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Translator: Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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