By: Shenna Aprilya Zahra )*
The bomb terror that occurred in Bandung was several time then It is a reminder that radicalism still exists. For this reason, there needs to be synergy between institutions in dealing with radicalism and terrorism. Not only BNPT and the police are handling it, but also other state institutions. The goal is that radicalism is quickly eliminated from Indonesia.
The bomb that occurred at the Astana Anyar Police Headquarters, Bandung City, shocked the public because they did not expect an attack from radical and terrorist groups. Moreover, the perpetrator is a former convict of terrorism. When he was released from prison, he still held radical views and took revenge, by bombing the police station.
Kapolrestabes Bandung Kombes Aswin Sipayung stated that the explosion occurred at 8:20 WIB on December 7, 2022 , when members of the Polsek were holding a morning rally. A man entered the Police Headquarters , brandishing a sharp weapon and breaking through the morning rally. Instantly members (police) dodged then there was an explosion. There was 1 victim (perpetrator) and 3 police officers who were injured.
When there is a bomb attack, there is a reminder that radicalism and terrorism still exist in Indonesia. To deal with radicalism, solid cooperation is needed. Both from state institutions, security forces, and civil society.
Ismail, Chairman of the Central Executive of the Indonesian Islamic Youth Movement stated that he condemned the bombings and acts of terrorism that occurred in Bandung. Then, to overcome radicalism and terrorism, it is necessary to have synergy between institutions. Among them are the BNPT (National Agency for Combating Terrorism), BIN TNI, and the National Police.
In a sense, all state institutions are expected to cooperate in tackling terrorism. BNPT take precautions so that the terrorists are arrested so that they cannot carry out attacks and bombings. Precautions are very important because if the attack is carried out in a public place, there are fears of injuries, even fatalities.
Then, to deal with convicts (terror convicts) must be intensified again. The reason is because the perpetrators of the bombing in Bandung are ex- convicts . After the deradicalization phase in penitentiaries, their thinking should be detoxified from radical and terrorist teachings. However, there are ex – convicts who have not been successful and finally carry out the bombing.
In the deradicalization program, you can ask for help from a psychiatrist, psychologist or religious expert. They can guide convicts to let go of their thoughts that have been poisoned by radicalism and terrorism. With therapy on the subconscious, they are made aware that all this time what they believed was a big mistake, because radicalism takes other people’s lives.
Then, the synergy between the TNI and Polri is also very much needed. Officials are friends of the people, therefore they must protect the people from various crimes. Including crimes from radical groups and terrorists.
Ismail continued, to create synergy in tackling terrorism, it is necessary to have assistance from the community. They cannot reject ex – convicts who are free and want to blend in with society. So far, there have been ex – convicts who are living normal lives, like Ali Imran (who was once a suspect in the Bali bombings).
In a sense, society must understand that ex -convicts have made amends while in prison. They have also gone through a deradicalization process . Don’t be turned down when a convict returns to his house or gets a contract in a new place.
What is feared is that refusal will create seeds of revenge from ex -convicts . They will remember the cruel world of terrorism and then carry out the action again. All this because of the rejection from society.
Therefore, the community must be proud and accept ex – convicts in their midst. No one is antipathy or isolate. They have tried to be good people and it would be nice to be given the trust to become new people too.
Society must unite in fighting terrorism and supporters of radical groups, and cooperate with state institutions. One way is by pressing the report button on social media, when there are netizens who openly support radicalism and terrorism. Or if someone even praises the perpetrators of the bombing. With reporting, it will be followed up by the social media manager.
Then, the public can also report to the authorities or cyber police, if there are indications of attacks being carried out by radical and terrorist groups. With reporting there will be prevention so that there are no further attacks. Especially at the end of the year when there are commemorations of public holidays and are prone to potential attacks and bombings.
Synergy in fighting terrorism and radicalism must be carried out to prevent further attacks. Terrorism must be dispelled by cooperation between state institutions, security forces and civilians. If everything works together, there will be synergy that creates solidity. Terrorism will be easily eradicated because everyone wants to unite to fight radicalism and extremism in Indonesia.
)* Writer is Nusantara Reading Room contributors