Be Wary of the Spread of Radicalism Through the Internet
By: Hamdan Pardede )*
The rapid advancement of technology has been utilized by terror groups to spread radicalism using a variety of platforms based on internet. The internet is considered effective in spreading anti-Pancasila ideology because it is able to penetrate the dimensions of space and time.
The movement of radicalism is now considered more easily spread by a variety of methods, including utilizing the internet. The internet which was originally used to facilitate the communication and transmission of digital data is often misused for the covert mission of radical groups. As a result, so many potential users have the potential to be infiltrated by various deviant notions.
Especially millennials who are technologically savvy are very dangerous if there is no strong foundation in Pancasila. From children to adults, from civil society to the security forces, they are unable to guarantee this radical line. The internet network system that is based on digital data is very easy for radical groups to spread their understanding because it is practical and tends to be minimal in cost.
The Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Commissioner General of Police Suhardi Alius intensively provides understanding to various elements regarding the threat and danger of understanding radicalism and terrorism. Not only among academics, he also provided debriefing to banking members.
He urged them not to underestimate the use of the internet in the surrounding environment. This is reflected by the rise of violent content such as radical terrorism that is developing rapidly through social networks. These hardliners use the internet for a variety of things, such as provocation to express fear and recruitment efforts.
He did not dismiss, if the values of nationalism began to erode along with the rapid development of technology. Because, many young people are exposed to this radicalism understanding. On the one hand, technology brings progress and also various conveniences. However, on the other hand, utterances of hatred to radical content spread into the spotlight. As if free to air and anyone can access it.
Radicalism is considered indiscriminately and indifferently. Anyone, anywhere, in any condition can be infected with this kind of deviant understanding. So that increased awareness is needed to be intensified. Not only among banking officials and employees, the former Head of the Police Public Relations Division suggested that we should be able to get out of the comfort zone to bring creativity and innovation to work. Which will be useful for the good and progress of the nation.
On the other hand, we can prevent the handling of radicalism by fortifying ourselves. Cultivating religious tolerance values. As well as instilling 4 pillars of nationality, namely; Pancasila, 1945 Constitution, NKRI, also Unity in Diversity. If basic education in the state has been understood and embedded in heartstrings, it is quite possible that we will be able to suppress up to destroy this movement of radicalism.
In addition, simple things in the form of mutual respect and tolerance in the community seem to be also important. Remember, humans are not individualists, but have links with other humans. So we can not walk alone. Another thing that can dispel the understanding of radicalism is the unity and unity of the Nation. Evidenced by the strength of the idealist of a nation that without compromise to build unity and unity is able to destroy this understanding.
The family environment also plays an important role in this matter. Good communication between family members will make it easier for us to control all developments in it. Moreover, the tendency of exposure to someone with this understanding is that they can depart from less communicative family conditions. With a low tolerance, so that the educational background is also likely to be influential.
From a number of evidence, most of the former terrorists feel that it would be better when entering into this vicious circle. Actors feel they have a group that supports it and recognizes its existence. Of course this will add to the list of homework for the government. Though all efforts have been diligently waged to overcome the understanding of radicalism.
However, still experience cheating on this. It is not impossible that the virtual world that is so loved by this wider community will actually be a fruit of our own, if we are not careful.
In the end everything returns to itself. Building the main foundation to strengthen faith will be able to help the government to minimize the spread of radicalism to expand.
*) The writer is an activist in Nusa Pers