TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Member of Commission VI of the House of Representatives Achmad Baidowi said that the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) ought to take preventive measures against radicalism in their ranks.

Previously on Monday, August 14, Indonesia's counterterrorism agency Densus 88 arrested a terrorist suspect who was also an employee at state railways company PT KAI, in Bekasi, West Java.

"In relation to (the arrest), SOEs ministry has to take preventive measures and edifies its employees to avoid being exposed to radicalism that leads to terrorism," said Achmad in his statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

Achmad added that the discovery of the alleged involvement of SOEs employees in terrorism is eye-opening. "That terrorism could infect governmental institutions believed to be the frontline in combating terrorism in Indonesia," he said.

Moreover, the arrest of the suspected terrorist D.E. was a confirmation of the findings of a certain institution that a sizable number of SOEs employees were exposed to radicalism. "Deradicalization programs in SOEs are not working effectively," Achmad emphasized.

Therefore, he reminded SOEs Minister Erick Thohir to take radicalism issues in state-owned enterprises seriously. "Lest SOEs will be known to let radicalism fester. Do not get swept away by the hustle and bustle of the 2024 General Elections preparation," said Achmad.

The spokesperson of Densus 88 Aswin Siregar confirmed yesterday that the agency arrested a suspected terrorist, D.E., in his residence in Bulak Sentul, Harapan Jaya, North Bekasi, at 12:17 p.m.

"The suspect is an active supporter of ISIS that spreads propaganda on social media by encouraging jihad and calls for unity for the purpose of jihad in Facebook," said the Head of Public Information of the police Brigadier General Ahmad Ramadhan.

ANTARA

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