Expert on Terrorism Sidney Jones Speaks of Indonesia`s Radicalism

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An expert on terrorism in the Southeast Asian region Sidney Jones revealed that people need to understand the definitive definition of radicalism before taking steps to prevent radicalism spreading among the general society. 

According to Sidney, the current definition of radicalism is still too broad as in if someone argues that a caliphate is a better system does not necessarily mean that the person has been exposed to radicalism.

“As long as they do not deny the existence of democracy, stating that the caliphate system is good can still be considered acceptable,” said Sidney Jones in a public discussion on preventing radicalism and terrorism at the Graha CIMB in South Jakarta today, July 10.

The radicalism that Sidney feels needs to be prevented is when an individual or group of people collectively considers the caliphate as an alternative to democracy and with that in mind plans to overthrow the Indonesian government. However, she reminded that caliphate itself can be someone’s role model without necessarily dismissing democracy.

Sydney reminded that the spread of radicalism can come from any source such as religious lectures in Mosques that could be accessed through the internet. Corresponding to Sidney, Muslim scholar Azyumardi Azra said that there are still many religious lecturers who freely spread radical ideas, such as the intolerance and anti-state ideas.

“I think that the ustads (Islamic teachers) need to be disciplined,” said Azyumardi Azra who also suggested that lecturers and ustads should be equipped with a form of official certification from the Ministry of Religion, Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI), Nahdalatul Ulama, or Muhammadiyah.

“Many of the ustad actually lack the capacity and their lectures are only filled with either jokes or provocation,” said Azyumardi. He even compared the situation Indonesia is facing to Malaysia where individuals that intend to deliver a religious lecture must bear a government permit beforehand.

Universitas Indonesia lecturer and head of the pro-state Universitas Indonesia alumni (BARA UI) Iriani Sophiaan said that Indonesia is currently in a worrying state in regards of radicalism. She argued that there are certain radical people that feel empowered to control Indonesia’s political stage and mobilize its members. 

RYAN DWIKY ANGGRIAWAN

https://nasional.tempo.co/read/1105496/radikalisme-di-indonesia-azyumardi-azra-perlu-sertifikasi-ustad