F

ollowing the terrorism-linked incidents of past weeks, the government said on Monday that it had begun a comprehensive, multi-institutional deradicalization program to combat terrorism.

As part of the program, Vice President Boediono led a high-level meeting at his office before coming up with the “National Radical Terrorism Counter Programs” blueprint.

“This is not merely a reaction to recent bombings in Depok or shootings in Surakarta. This was a national program initiated by the National Counterterrorism Agency [BNPT] some time ago,” Boediono said upon opening the meeting which was then held behind closed doors.

Boediono didn’t specify exactly what he meant by “deradicalization program”, but a controversial policy to certify and register all clerics is certain to be at the heart of the plan.

The policy hopes to gag radical religious leaders who promote civil unrest.

BNPT chief Ansyaad Mbai denied responsibility for the certification scheme, saying the idea was unsuitable and unworkable in Indonesia. “I only cited the example of certification of clerics in Singapore,” he told reporters after the meeting.

Sensing potential trouble ahead, he asked the media not to overly expose the proposal in case it was “exploited by radical groups to undermine antiterrorism efforts”.

“We need to involve the clerics. They have key roles in this program,” Ansyaad added.

“Clerics know how religious doctrines can be used to radicalize students. They also understand indoctrination,” the retired police general explained.

Ansyaad’s statement on clerical certification ignited almost universal rejection from Islamic leaders, such as Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Said Aqil Siroj and Muslim scholars.

Constitutional Court chief justice Mahfud MD, widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading intellectuals, said such certification could be a human rights violation.

“It is an overstatement and a violation of human rights. It would mean that all Muslims would be barred from public speaking. Every Muslim is expected to spread Islamic teachings, even if it is one verse,” said Mahfud at Hasanuddin University, Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Monday.

“If implemented, the state would be oppressing citizens instead of protecting them,” he added. “The state is supposed to settle each and every case of terrorism, not create new unrest.”

The deradicalization program would be discussed at ministerial level because of the comprehensive and synergetic efforts required in all related institutions, Boediono said.

“Programs launched by individual institutions have been ineffective because no action plan is coordinated between institutions. We cannot leave it to the BNPT. We’ll see what we can do together,” the Vice President added.

Under the program, the government will work with religious groups, NGOs and universities. Already asked to join the program are Muhammadiyah, NU, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences and the Indonesian Ulema Council.

“We have not talked about details and mechanisms yet,” Ansyaad said.

The meeting was attended by Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto, Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali, Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufri, Law and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsudin, Indonesian Military chief Adm. Agus Suhartono and National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo.

Coordinating People’s Welfare Minister Agung Laksono said the program would address links between terrorism and poverty. “The root of terrorism is welfare. We need to address this rather than only using security approaches,” he said.

Prominent intellectual Azyumardi Azra did not share Agung’s opinion. “Many Muslims are poor but comply with the true faith,” he said.

“The seeds of radicalism are planted by clerics in Islamic boarding schools and secret gatherings. Radicalism has grown amid the absence of law enforcement,” Azyumardi added.

He also criticized clerics who misinterpret the concept of jihad and provoking their followers to wage war on valid governments and state ideology.

— Andi Hajramurni contributed reporting from Makassar, South Sulawesi