TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Ambassador to Sudan and Eritrea Burhanuddin Badaruzzaman requested the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) to visit and monitor the conditions of Indonesian living in the two middle-eastern countries.
"[The Indonesians] need to be monitored and provided with an understanding on the propaganda of radical terrorism ideology, especially ISIS [the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria]," Burhanuddin said during a meeting with BNPT Chief Comr. Gen. Suhardi Alius on Friday, March 10, 2017.
In his notes, Burhanuddin stated that there were two Indonesian students arrested by Sudanese authorities in the last two years. The students have been deported to Indonesia for being suspected of having connections with ISIS supporter group in Sudan.
Burhanuddin asserted that the case should be a lesson for all stakeholders to protect Indonesians living abroad from threats of radicalism propaganda.
"That is why we asked the BNPT Chief to directly monitor [Indonesians] and provide an understanding in relation to terrorism," Burhanuddin added.
Burhanuddin said that most of Indonesian students in Sudan were originated from low-economic families. Even some, according to Burhanuddin, were sent by education institutions as part of a scholarship program.
"Such economic condition is likely to cause Indonesians to accept offers of fund and living costs, without thinking how it would affect their lives, especially in relation to radicalism," Burhanuddin said.
BNPT Chief Comr. Gen, Suhardi Alius welcomed the proposal. Suhardi said that the BNPT will continue to carry out efforts to eradicate radicalism propaganda.
ANTARA | DS