President Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo has called on Indonesian Military (TNI) leaders and soldiers to enhance their professional capacities and to take on extra roles combating terrorism, especially Islamic State (IS).

'€œWe should concentrate on this matter. If we do not act carefully, IS terrorists will be a real threat for us. Socialization shall be dispersed to provinces, regencies and cities. If we are late, it will be our fault," President Jokowi said in a meeting with TNI leaders at the military headquarters.

According to Jokowi, poverty and the social divide may jeopardize the country because both antagonize social conflict, transforming into the fuel that grows separatism, radicalism, extremism and even terrorism.

Jokowi specifically made mention of IS, which continues to be a global threat, reminding TNI to act carefully, undertake accompaniment, data collection and to strive to make continuous breakthrough steps with de-radicalization.

While almost all countries use a security and law enforcement approach to combat radicalization and terrorism, Jokowi also prefers a soft approach.

"In addition to the hard approach, we are also wise to carry out a soft approach, a cultural and religious approach,'€ said Jokowi.

He added that the country was responsible for public security, for ensuring a secure environment for the public and requested that TNI increase its supervision in public spaces, places of worship, airports, terminals, stations and other pertinent places.

'€œAs professionals, TNI soldiers must be well-trained, not in the political arena, but as support for the country'€™s politics because TNI'€™s politics are the same as the country'€™s politics,'€ Jokowi asserted. (cal)

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