Radicalism Surges among Indonesian Youths and Women in 2023, Minister Claims

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Hadi Tjahjanto, said there was a surge in radicalism among women, children, and teenagers. These findings are based on data from the Indonesia Knowledge Hub or IKHub of the National Counter Terrorism Agency (BNPT) and other institutional research. 

“There was a surge of radicalization process of terrorism in 2023 among women, children, and teenagers. This is our concern and our homework in the efforts to realize the 2045 Golden Indonesia goals. We must ensure every citizen of Indonesia is safe and protected,” he said while inaugurating the Counter Terrorism Museum on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. 

Despite the surge in radicalism among women and teenagers, Hadi applauded BNPT’s success in countering terrorism in the last four years. Hadi said the lack of terror attacks throughout 2023 and the smooth-running of February’s elections were proof of a successful deradicalization.  

"The most prominent was the zero terrorist attack throughout 2023, and the most impressive was the terror-free 2024 general elections," said Hadi.

Hadi said this success could not be separated from BNPT's efforts to apply the penta-helix model strategy to counter-terrorism. The concept involves government, academics, business, society, and the media in tackling radicalization.

Coinciding with its 14th anniversary, BNPT inaugurated the Adhi Pradana Counter Terrorism Museum at the BNPT Complex, Bogor Regency.

Head of BNPT Commissioner General of Police, Mohammed Rycko Amelza Dahniel, said this museum is one of the agency’s strategies to deal with terrorism, especially through education. 

"This museum is dedicated as an educational tourism facility to boost citizens’ patriotism and awareness of the dangers of terrorism," said Rycko.

Apart from being an educational facility, this museum is also a symbol to acknowledge the necessity of international cooperation in facing the threat of terrorism through the principle of a whole government and whole society approach. Rycko also said the museum was founded to honor the victims of terrorism that occurred in Indonesia.

EKA YUDHA SAPUTRA

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