Kalla Invites Interpol to Combat Terrorism on the Internet

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla opened the 85th Interpol General Assembly in Bali Monday, November 7th. In his opening speech, Kalla emphasized the importance of intelligence exchange between countries in an effort to combat terrorism. 

"As member countries of Interpol, we need to increase partnership that focuses on intelligence information," Kalla said.  

According to Kalla, terrorism is an extraordinary crime. Without accurate and matching information between member states, the cracking down of terrorist network would be difficult, both on the national and global level.

Kalla said propagandas and the spreading of terrorism, extremism and radicalism are happening quickly nowadays due to the development of information and communication technology, as well as easy internet access. In the past, terrorists have used the internet as means of communication.

Terrorists have also used the internet as a means of learning how to make bombs specific targets. "However, these days, internet abuse by terrorists is strongly associated with the spread of false ideals, including propaganda and the spreading of terrorism, extremism and radicalism," said Kalla.

He pointed to ISIS in Iraq and Syria and said that Indonesia is not immune to the condition. "The case of internet misuse by terrorist groups is quite numerous, although Indonesia has arrested more than 900 terrorists," said Kalla. 

The vice president said that cooperation of intelligence information in the fight against terrorism becomes inevitable.

In his speech, Kalla also thanked countries that have cooperated with the Indonesian police in a wide range of knowledge, experience, and transfer of modern technology, in order to detect terrorism. Currently, he said, the Indonesian police have received much recognition from world countries for its success in overcoming terrorism, although the force has yet to be able to completely prevent acts of terrorism, extremism and radicalism from happening.

The 85th Interpol General Assembly is the first to be held in Indonesia. With 'Setting a global roadmap for international policing' as the theme, the assembly is joined by 161 Interpol member countries with approximately 1,200 delegates. The event will last from November 7 to 10, 2016.

Chief of Police Gen. Tito Karnavian said the meeting will discuss various issues related to cross-border crimes. "These include terrorism, cybercrimes, human trafficking," he said Tito. 

In addition, new crimes will also be discussed, for example, frauds, embezzlement, credit cards counterfeiting, and others.

On the issue of terrorism, such as ISIS, Tito said aninternational-scale cooperation is required as it comprises of more than just law enforcement and forceful measures, but also prevention efforts. 

"We need regional cooperation with ASEAN countries, regional countries, as well as international cooperation, and diplomatic efforts to resolve the ISIS problem in Syria and Iraq," said Tito.

AMIRULLAH