By: Ratna Dwi Susanti *)
The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) ensures that it will continue to anticipate and minimize the emergence of radical groups or threats of terrorism ahead of the 2024 general election (Pemilu). work harder to ensure the smooth running of the 2024 General Election and Presidential Election (Pilpres).
In a Nationalist Guard discussion entitled “Facing Ideological Battles in the 2024 Election” BNPT Prevention Director, Brigadier General (Pol) Ahmad Nurwakhid said his party had proven its performance in maintaining and minimizing the threat of terrorism against the G20 Summit (Summit) in Bali on November 15-16. so that his party will further increase security ahead of the 2024 General Election and Presidential Election.
What needs to be watched out for in the parliamentary succession and national leadership in 2024 is identity politics where this can trigger radicalism-terrorism understanding and movements. The BNPT will also continue to make efforts to mitigate and prevent the spread of religious politicization or politics of hatred during the 2024 General Election and Presidential Election among the people. These efforts are carried out in accordance with the duties and functions of the BNPT, namely formulating policies, implementing and coordinating all elements of the nation and state including conducting discussions, dialogues or coordinating with political parties.
Not only that, Nurwakhid added that all elements of the nation were asked to be vigilant about the potential for an increase in radical movements ahead of the 2024 General Elections which are triggered by identity politics based on religion. These radical-terrorist groups will certainly take advantage of the election and presidential election momentum to play up religious issues so that people are not provoked and are not affected by false information or hoaxes on social media.
Furthermore, Nurwakhid emphasized that radicalism and terrorism are common enemies of all mankind, all nations, and all religions. Therefore, efforts to eradicate radicalism and terrorism are a shared responsibility and cannot be borne by the government alone. According to him, it takes an active and productive role from all elements of society to always glorify, become influencers for peace, build tolerance, unity, love for the homeland and nation, respect and practice the Pancasila ideology, and live up to diversity and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
The Mayor of Malang, Sutiaji asked members of the Community Protection (Linmas) to ward off radicalism, especially when entering the political year ahead of the 2024 General Election and Presidential Election. According to him, the political years leading up to the General Election are prone to the spread of radicalism and terrorism among the people. Sutiaji added that the development of Technology and Informatics (IT), especially with the existence of social media, makes it easier for irresponsible parties to spread ideas that are inconsistent with the philosophy of the Indonesian state. So, here Linmas plays a role as a protector of the community and is expected to help counteract radicalism-terrorism.
But before that, all Linmas personnel must first be educated regarding the dangers of radicalism by providing literacy on issues of understanding radicalism in the region including social conflict, being easily agitated, hoax news, and false information. He added, this education will be provided by the TNI, Polri, and the Malang government itself so that it is hoped that Linmas will be equipped and educated with moral messages.
Sutiaji revealed that all areas in Malang City are always under supervision related to counteracting the growth of radicalism. For example, in Bumiayu District, a husband and wife were arrested who turned out to be the perpetrators of terrorism and were eventually expelled from Malang City. Precisely these small places do not rule out their (terrorism) thriving. Then, the Kedungkandang area also escaped the attention of the government where Densus 88 Anti-terror caught a terrorist network that was developing there.
Sutiaji hopes that incidents like this will not be repeated ahead of the 2024 General Election and Presidential Election. He appealed to members of Linmas personnel if they find things suspected of being radicalism and terrorism, they can immediately report them to the Police or the TNI for follow-up.
Meanwhile, the Regent of Banggai Kepulauan Regency, Ihsan Basir said that various parties should be involved in optimizing terrorism supervision as an important requirement for security and order ahead of the 2024 General Election. national mental revolution, optimizing the role of the Nation Mixing Forum, and the National Unity Forum, as well as other organizations that are government partners.
In addition, his party synergizes with the Community Early Warning Forum (FKDM) which consists of 5 (five) government elements and 5 (five) community elements as well as government work units such as the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) to detect early the possibility of the spread of radicalism. .
Ihsan Basir appealed to all parties to work together to prevent radicalism and increase awareness of the possibility of potential terror in the political year by continuing to try to stem information that has nuances of provocation and contains issues of identity (SARA) on social media.
*) The author is a Contributor from Nusantara Institute