By: Aditya Iskandar, Social and Political Observer
TNI / Polri continue to work together to provide security to the community. Nevertheless, the Government and its security apparatus appeal to all Indonesian people to remain alert to the threat of terrorism before Christmas and New Year (Nataru), including to pay more close attention to their social environment.
No doubt if this series of events related to terrorism always chooses momentum during religious holidays and towards the end of the year. Terrorism seems to be deliberately adjusting this momentum by spreading threats and terror that create chaos and anxiety to endless trauma.
According to terrorism observer Ridlwan Habib, stated that increasing awareness of the possibility of terrorism attacks at the end of the year must be at a proportional level and not cause public panic. According to him, there are a number of other things that authorities should be wary of, namely the strengthening of the Sunni-Shiite debate and the phenomenal wolf. Because, all countries always increase their awareness of the possibility of terrorism attacks.
Researchers from the University of Indonesia’s Strategic Intelligence Study (KSI) added that this prevention can be done by holding closed meetings with religious leaders. This must be done by the government as a step to anticipate attacks that take the momentum of Christmas celebrations, along with the new year.
However, Ridlwan considered that it was not an act of terrorism that must be watched out before the turn of this year. The authorities must also be on the lookout for all kinds of symptoms of the strengthening of the Sunni-Shia debate.
He argues that the Sunni-Shi’a debate is still natural that as long as it takes place on social media, but this confrontation should not be brought into the real world. So that the authorities were asked to take preventative measures early. Furthermore, the Ministry of Religion also plays an important role in handling the Sunni-Shia. The reason is, it concerns about one’s understanding.
Finally, Ridlwan also reminded again the importance of being vigilant against lone wolf (ie, lone assailant). Because, people who carry out actions independently are not coordinated in a command and instead tend to be difficult to detect.
Meanwhile, military observer from Padjadjaran University, Muradi appealed to all citizens, both civilians and governments to be vigilant in the timeframe of December 15, 2019 to January 15, 2020. He assessed that this momentum is usually used by terrorists to spread terror. Nevertheless, the possibility of the coming of terror does not only come from Jakarta alone. However, also from other regions.
Not only that, Muradi said that currently the terrorism network which is predicted to carry out its actions has changed the pattern of targets. The target of terror is no longer focused on the large number of victims but who will be their terror target.
For example if in the past the application of this terrorism pattern included the environment as well as large casualties, such as the Bali bombings. However, now these terrorists are trying to injure, stab and even kill one or two of the target people. However, these targets are quite popular people.
Moreover, the current attack can no longer be predicted in the form of a suicide bombing terror attack. Small actions but can have a big impact must be wary of, for example stabbing attacks against figures and big people. So that anyone is asked to be vigilant towards the end of the year.
Spreading concern, chaotic atmosphere to the death tolls as if they were their goal (terrorism). They deliberately create public noise which is sometimes used to divert some attention. That is, location A is made chaotic, even though location B is currently being sought after. So that attacks like this can not be predicted clearly. Therefore the increase in alertness cannot be underestimated.
This vigilance can cover various sectors. Including the digital world, namely social media. This social media is often referred to as a background problem related to terrorism. How not, users are able to access all information (deviate though) without clear restrictions. Not only that, social media is suspected to be a soft land for terrorism to incubate and launch its action without fear of being detected by security forces.
The influence of social media in the spread of terrorism is also blamed as the most effective way of indoctrinating people with the concept of misguided understanding. Finally, wise social media will help protect us from all outside world interventions that poison our thoughts and behavior. It is not impossible if vigilance is increased in order to create a conducive atmosphere that will be able to suppress threats and attacks of terrorism before the turn of this year.
