This photograph circulating on social media networks shows Abu Bakar Ba'asyir (third left, sitting cross-legged) with his followers in prison
span class="caption">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)(+)
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.