Govt must ‘touch’ people to fight radicalism: NU

Indonesia's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) says that the government should adopt a more “touching” approach if they aim to be successful in restraining radical groups in the country.

“The government must have an approach which directly touches the people,” NU executive board deputy chief Asad Said Ali said Tuesday, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

He said that the government has so far only taken casual measures that have failed to reach out to influential people.

According to Asad, radical individuals are also very close to common people. The government, therefore, must be more strategic in supporting activities that might encourage people to engage in more positive interactions.

“Radicals such as Nasir Abas and former Mujahidin leader Ahmad are proof. It shows that the others can also be persuaded away from radicalism,” he said.