Bandung Suicide Bombing; BNPT Asked to Evaluate Deradicalization Program

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Member of the Legal Commission at the House of Representatives (DPR), Santoso, assessed that the suicide bombing at the Astanaanyar Police Station, Bandung, this morning showed that the deradicalization program by the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) is ineffective. So the bomber who is a former terrorism convict could commit another attack.

“If he (ex-terror convict) commits it again, it can be said that the [deradicalization] method isn't quite right. People who have been trained (deradicalized) still commit acts of terrorism,” said Santoso when contacted on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.

He thus opined that BNPT must evaluate the deradicalization program. Today's event, he added, showed that the perpetrator had a deep grudge against the country.

Santoso also said when there is a crucial incident, his commission will summon the BNPT head Boy Rafli. “I think there is still time until just before the recess period. There are possibilities to call [BNPT] because the perpetrator is a former terrorist convict as we’d like to know the program,” he said.

Law enforcement officers must work together to resolve this case, he emphasized. BNPT, the National Police through Densus 88 counterterrorism squad, and the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) must synergize coordination.

“The three agencies must work in synergy, not working alone. This is a shared responsibility,” Santoso said.

The suicide bombing at the Astanaanyar Police Station, Bandung of West Java, took place this morning during the morning assembly at around 08:20 western Indonesian time (WIB). The suicide bomber had brandished pointed a sharp weapon before detonating the bomb.

IMA DINI SHAFIRA

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