In the midst of the public’s busy schedule in monitoring the results of the post-2024 election, without realizing it, sympathizers of Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) are gathering support among the younger generation to fight for the establishment of the caliphate. This is not mere conjecture but a fact that can be seen that the ‘Metamorfoshow’ event held by ex-HTI at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) was a form of fundraising under the guise of an Isra Mi’raj event.
Reportedly, the event was held in order to indoctrinate thousands of young people who attended to support the movement to uphold the caliphate system in Indonesia. In this event, the ex-HTI group also discussed the dilapidation of the Indonesian democratic state and carried out a campaign containing the narrative that the caliphate was the solution to all the problems facing this nation.
Of course, the presence of HTI should be a serious concern for the Government and society in general considering that the current political situation is prone to being manipulated and provoked by groups who want chaos. Moreover, with the ongoing political turmoil, it is feared that this event will take advantage of political instability to gather support and recruit new radical sympathizers.
Therefore, it is important for all parties to increase awareness of attempts at radicalism like this. The police are still coordinating with TMII, which allowed the event to be held, considering that HTI is one of the banned organizations in the country. It is feared that the event, which was attended by thousands of young people, will foster new ideas that are dangerous for the younger generation. Instead of building the nation, it is feared that the younger generation who are exposed to radicalism will join in fighting for and reviving this ideology at all costs.
This information was widely spread on social media, uploaded by the @chanzyeolk account on platform X (formerly Twitter). The account states that the ‘Metamorfoshow’ event was attended by Ismail Yusanto as former HTI Spokesperson, Aab El Karami as content creator from HTI, M. Ihsan Akbar who is HTI’s Gen Z influencer, and Akhmad Adiasta who is the narrator and producer of the docu-cinema History of Islam ‘Traces of the Caliphate in the Archipelago’.
It is known that the government disbanded HTI in 2017 because it was considered to be contrary to the basic consensus of the Indonesian nation, namely Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, the Republic of Indonesia and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. When confirmed, the Head of TMII’s Public Relations Section, Novera Mayang, said that when his party received a letter from the event committee on February 7, it was not stated that the event organizer was from HTI or on behalf of HTI.
Mayang added that TMII is the location manager, therefore the content or substance of the event is the responsibility of the organizer. Currently, TMII management has coordinated with the police to work together to carry out investigations regarding this activity.
Head of the Terrorism Studies Study Program, School of Global Strategic Studies, University of Indonesia (SKSG UI), Muhammad Syauqillah, said that the Government must pay special attention to the HTI group which has again shown itself during the leadership transition period in 2024. The emergence of HTI is a strong signal that transnational organizations still exist in Indonesia. Even though the government has officially disbanded, HTI cells are still firmly entrenched by their sympathizers. This can be proven by the thousands of people who attended the event and the message conveyed was very clear and explicit about upholding the ideology of the Khilafah in Indonesia.
Syauqillah emphasized that all parties should not be complacent with the recent trend of decreasing crime rates or acts of terrorism, because thoughts and doctrines of radicalism and extremism which are dangerous for the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia are still emerging today. The era of free social media is also very vulnerable for netizens to be exposed to their agitation and propaganda.
Education and better understanding of the threats faced by organizations such as HTI and other radical currents really need to be improved, both among the younger generation and the general public. This not only involves anticipatory efforts to prevent recruitment and the spread of propaganda, but also rehabilitation efforts for those who have been influenced by radical ideology so that they do not become influenced again.
The Government’s role in monitoring and taking firm action against the activities of radical organizations is also very important, especially the legal steps that must be taken to counter efforts that threaten the peace and security of the country, such as radicalism. This includes strengthening the role of security forces in monitoring and taking action against prohibited organizations as well as encouraging cooperation from all parties to work together in fighting terrorism and extremism in Indonesia.
However, civil society must also be active in fighting extreme ideologies and providing more constructive and inclusive alternatives to the younger generation who are easy targets for radicalism. The younger generation must be equipped with a better understanding of national values, pluralism and democracy as the key to countering radical propaganda and building a strong, inclusive and tolerant society. In this way, it is hoped that we can overcome the threat of radicalism as carried out by HTI and other radical currents.