Radicalism, according to the Great Dictionary of Bahasa Indonesia, is an ism or a thought that wants a drastic change or revolution in social and political spheres even by using violence. Radicalism can also mean extreme attitude in politics.
However, the rise of technological development today fosters radicalism in society. Propaganda (way to convince people to embrace a stream, attitude, or direction of certain actions) of radicalism with the help of the internet (social media and mass media) continue to occur at a massive scale, beyond the measures taken to promote the principle of peace and tolerance.
The government did not remain silent with the rise of radical contents in websites/blogs. In early 2016, dozens of sites with radical content, including sites allegedly maintained by Bahrun Naim- ISIS sympathizers in Syria coming from Indonesia- were blocked by the government through the Ministry of Communications and Informatics (Kemenkominfo).
Bahrun Naim launched his radical propaganda through the internet. Such propaganda allegedly dominated the case of Thamrin Bombing and Mapolresta Solo Bombing. It is certainly not a difficult thing for Bahrun Naim to spread radical propaganda over the internet. Bahrun Naim got D3 degree for Computer Science in UNS Solo.
Acts of terror that were allegedly triggered by radical propaganda through the Internet occurred in Medan. The perpetrators used a low-explosive bomb when committing the act of terror in the Catholic Church of St. Joseph Medan City (08/28/2016). Ivan Armadi Hasugian, the perpetrator, failed to finish the action and only created little cuts on the left arm of Pastor Albert S Pandingan.
The manmade bomb with yellow pipe was brought by the perpetrator while wielding a knife toward Father Albert who would start preaching. Pastor was rescued by the people and the perpetrator were arrested.
National Police Chief Gen. Pol Tito Karnavian (07/09/2016) stated that the bomber had direct contact with Bahrun Naim allegedly located in Syria.
In this case, Bahrun Naim successfully influenced Ivan Armadi Hasugian through radical propaganda, making him willing to perform acts of terror in the Catholic Church of St. Joseph Medan. In previous terror cases, suspects admitted that they were influenced by the contents obtained from the internet.
Agus Abdillah (Beji case), who was arrested on 17 September 2012 by Densus-88 / AT Police Headquarters, mentioned the fact during the trial that he felt like he was called for jihad after learning through the internet. Fungki Isnanto, a bomber in Lumajang bombing on 1 June 2013 also admitted that he even learnt how to make bombs and plan the bombing over the internet.
Prevention
Preventive measure to eliminate radical contents on internet will be very difficult. Internet technology that is increasingly accessible and easy to be utilized from anywhere will complicate the prevention and limitation of contents being published. Preventive measures that can be done is to limit and shut down internet sites that contain radical contents to stop the spread.
Kemenkominfo is the government agency that has the authority and ability to organize and manage internet sites. With the authority of the Kemenkominfo, it should be able to quickly perform prompt responsive measures to regulate sites that contain radical contents.
Society must be responsive if they find websites containing radicalism. A fast response that can be done is for example by reporting to the Kemenkominfo. Other government agencies such as BIN, BNPT, Police, Ministry of Religious Affairs and other agencies should also be given the authority to determine whether a site is suitable and publicly accessible or not.
Kemenkominfo in this case should have a mechanism that is more accessible to receive reports from various parties regarding the internet sites that contain radical contents. Based on the reports from the public and the verification of other government agencies such as the Police and BNPT, the Kemenkominfo can then take immediate measures to block these sites.
The government should not stop only at blocking the websites which contained radical content. Legal action should be made to the person loading that content in order to create a deterrent effect and avoid similar behavior in the future in other websites
Counter Propaganda
Radical propaganda must be resisted. Violence and coercion carried out by certain groups, especially ones that create fear and loss of life in society, are extraordinary crimes. Indonesia as a civilized country with Pancasila as an ideology should be able to show its identity as a peaceful nation with respect for diversity.
Rejection to the radical propaganda must be done massively in all areas and at all levels of society. Pancasila as an ideology with the noble values reflecting Indonesia should be able to be used as an antidote to the radical and intolerant attitudes.
Propaganda on Pancasila, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity), tolerance, and a sense of peace needs to be spread massively beyond the propaganda of radicalism.
Greater state power should be used to counter the radical propaganda. Educational institutions, religious institutions, communities, and state institutions such as the Police, BNPT, and BIN must unite to fight the radical propaganda. Pancasila as an ideology of the nation must be strongly instilled early. The instillation is most effectively done during school age in educational institutions.
Tolerant and peace-loving attitude that characterize the eastern values of Indonesia as a nation should be promoted as the main values being taught to the younger generation. With tolerance and a strong pacifism, the influences transmitted and spread by the radical propaganda will not attract the younger generation. This needs to be done to the younger generation since the majority of terrorist acts perpetrators being radicalized are young children.
Conclusion
Radical propaganda carried out by the radical groups has occurred very massively in Indonesia. The government must be firm against them. Internet used as a medium for propaganda should be monitored so that there is no radical propaganda in the content of the sites.
In addition to prevention, the government and all levels of society need to fight against the radical propaganda. The counter propaganda efforts should exceed the propaganda carried out by the radical groups.
State power should be primarily used to instill the values of Pancasila, national unity, tolerance and peace to fight radical propaganda. As an eastern country, if we adhere to the existing ideology, radicalism should not have existed.
*) Stanislaus Riyanta, an intelligence and terrorism analyst, Alumni of Strategic Intelligence Studies Post Graduate Program, University of Indonesia.
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Megapolitan 2016
However, the rise of technological development today fosters radicalism in society. Propaganda (way to convince people to embrace a stream, attitude, or direction of certain actions) of radicalism with the help of the internet (social media and mass media) continue to occur at a massive scale, beyond the measures taken to promote the principle of peace and tolerance.
The government did not remain silent with the rise of radical contents in websites/blogs. In early 2016, dozens of sites with radical content, including sites allegedly maintained by Bahrun Naim- ISIS sympathizers in Syria coming from Indonesia- were blocked by the government through the Ministry of Communications and Informatics (Kemenkominfo).
Bahrun Naim launched his radical propaganda through the internet. Such propaganda allegedly dominated the case of Thamrin Bombing and Mapolresta Solo Bombing. It is certainly not a difficult thing for Bahrun Naim to spread radical propaganda over the internet. Bahrun Naim got D3 degree for Computer Science in UNS Solo.
Acts of terror that were allegedly triggered by radical propaganda through the Internet occurred in Medan. The perpetrators used a low-explosive bomb when committing the act of terror in the Catholic Church of St. Joseph Medan City (08/28/2016). Ivan Armadi Hasugian, the perpetrator, failed to finish the action and only created little cuts on the left arm of Pastor Albert S Pandingan.
The manmade bomb with yellow pipe was brought by the perpetrator while wielding a knife toward Father Albert who would start preaching. Pastor was rescued by the people and the perpetrator were arrested.
National Police Chief Gen. Pol Tito Karnavian (07/09/2016) stated that the bomber had direct contact with Bahrun Naim allegedly located in Syria.
In this case, Bahrun Naim successfully influenced Ivan Armadi Hasugian through radical propaganda, making him willing to perform acts of terror in the Catholic Church of St. Joseph Medan. In previous terror cases, suspects admitted that they were influenced by the contents obtained from the internet.
Agus Abdillah (Beji case), who was arrested on 17 September 2012 by Densus-88 / AT Police Headquarters, mentioned the fact during the trial that he felt like he was called for jihad after learning through the internet. Fungki Isnanto, a bomber in Lumajang bombing on 1 June 2013 also admitted that he even learnt how to make bombs and plan the bombing over the internet.
Prevention
Preventive measure to eliminate radical contents on internet will be very difficult. Internet technology that is increasingly accessible and easy to be utilized from anywhere will complicate the prevention and limitation of contents being published. Preventive measures that can be done is to limit and shut down internet sites that contain radical contents to stop the spread.
Kemenkominfo is the government agency that has the authority and ability to organize and manage internet sites. With the authority of the Kemenkominfo, it should be able to quickly perform prompt responsive measures to regulate sites that contain radical contents.
Society must be responsive if they find websites containing radicalism. A fast response that can be done is for example by reporting to the Kemenkominfo. Other government agencies such as BIN, BNPT, Police, Ministry of Religious Affairs and other agencies should also be given the authority to determine whether a site is suitable and publicly accessible or not.
Kemenkominfo in this case should have a mechanism that is more accessible to receive reports from various parties regarding the internet sites that contain radical contents. Based on the reports from the public and the verification of other government agencies such as the Police and BNPT, the Kemenkominfo can then take immediate measures to block these sites.
The government should not stop only at blocking the websites which contained radical content. Legal action should be made to the person loading that content in order to create a deterrent effect and avoid similar behavior in the future in other websites
Counter Propaganda
Radical propaganda must be resisted. Violence and coercion carried out by certain groups, especially ones that create fear and loss of life in society, are extraordinary crimes. Indonesia as a civilized country with Pancasila as an ideology should be able to show its identity as a peaceful nation with respect for diversity.
Rejection to the radical propaganda must be done massively in all areas and at all levels of society. Pancasila as an ideology with the noble values reflecting Indonesia should be able to be used as an antidote to the radical and intolerant attitudes.
Propaganda on Pancasila, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity), tolerance, and a sense of peace needs to be spread massively beyond the propaganda of radicalism.
Greater state power should be used to counter the radical propaganda. Educational institutions, religious institutions, communities, and state institutions such as the Police, BNPT, and BIN must unite to fight the radical propaganda. Pancasila as an ideology of the nation must be strongly instilled early. The instillation is most effectively done during school age in educational institutions.
Tolerant and peace-loving attitude that characterize the eastern values of Indonesia as a nation should be promoted as the main values being taught to the younger generation. With tolerance and a strong pacifism, the influences transmitted and spread by the radical propaganda will not attract the younger generation. This needs to be done to the younger generation since the majority of terrorist acts perpetrators being radicalized are young children.
Conclusion
Radical propaganda carried out by the radical groups has occurred very massively in Indonesia. The government must be firm against them. Internet used as a medium for propaganda should be monitored so that there is no radical propaganda in the content of the sites.
In addition to prevention, the government and all levels of society need to fight against the radical propaganda. The counter propaganda efforts should exceed the propaganda carried out by the radical groups.
State power should be primarily used to instill the values of Pancasila, national unity, tolerance and peace to fight radical propaganda. As an eastern country, if we adhere to the existing ideology, radicalism should not have existed.
*) Stanislaus Riyanta, an intelligence and terrorism analyst, Alumni of Strategic Intelligence Studies Post Graduate Program, University of Indonesia.
Editor : M. Tohamaksun
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Megapolitan 2016