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Jokowi holds Cabinet meeting to discuss radicalism in Indonesia
This photograph circulating on social media networks shows Abu Bakar Ba'asyir (third left, sitting cross-legged) with his followers in prison
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span class="inline inline-center">This photograph circulating on social media networks shows Abu Bakar Ba'asyir (third left, sitting cross-legged) with his followers in prison. (Kompas)
President Jokowi 'Jokowi' Widodo is to discuss the issue of radicalism in Indonesia with his ministers in a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, including what security preparations are being made ahead of Christmas, according the presidential communication head Ari Dwipayana.
"The meeting is due to be held at 3 p.m. They will be talking about handling radicalism in Indonesia," Ari said in a text message to journalists.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla has said that Indonesia needed to tackle the issue of radicalism with a soft approach, encouraging a moderate Islam instead of resorting to violence. A confrontational approach involving the deployment of police and army personnel, he argued, would not be able to curb radical ideology.
The government had asked the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) and the Indonesian Military (TNI) to conduct activities in aid of early detection of terrorism and violent extremism.
Interior Minister Tjahjo Komolo said recently that regional administrations should also collaborate with police and religious leaders to prevent the spread of radicalism in their areas.
Of the more than 500 Indonesians who are believed to have joined the Islamic State (IS) movement, about half have gone on to fight in Syria or Iraq. In contrast, fewer than 200 Indonesians were estimated to have fought in Afghanistan for al-Qaeda. (dan)(+)
