By: Edi Jatmiko) *
The government under the auspices of President Jokowi stressed he would increase his seriousness in dealing with the problem of radicalism in Indonesia. President Jokowi not only questioned repression, but also tried to change people’s perception of the term radicalism.
The spread of radical understanding in Indonesia is still worrying because the spread is starting to be activated in the university area. Jokowi also took firm steps. According to him, the government will involve many parties in efforts to deradicalize.
We also need to know that radicalism is a systematic effort by individuals or groups to make radical changes to the roots with violence.
According to Mahfud MD, radical groups do not refer to certain groups. He also requested that the idea that radical people belong to a particular religious group be changed.
Mahfud stressed, that radicalism is a concept that wants to change the basis and ideology of the state by going against the rules, then damaging the new generation of thinking. Both Muslims or even Muslims, if committing acts of terror can certainly be called radical.
Acts of terrorism continue to increase every day. These radical groups even today dare to involve women and children in carrying out terror. Not only that, the target has even reached state officials. Of course we still remember the former Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security, Wiranto, who was stabbed by Abu Rara who was a member of the JAD group.
Certainly a necessity if the government is currently screening the ASN so as not to be exposed to radicalism. It is intended because the state must protect public rights in various ways.
Meanwhile, Minister of Religion Fachrul Razi has a way to overcome radicalism. To overcome this problem, the Ministry of Religion will comb the mosques and give warnings to mosque administrators.
Fachrul also stated that he would firmly take action against state civil servants, BUMN employees, or employees in other government circles who were infected with radical ideas.
This was conveyed by Fachrul following data from the National Counterterrorism Agency or BNPT in 2018, which stated that 41 mosques within the ministry and BUMN were exposed to radicalism.
He also said, if there were soldiers who had a radical understanding, they could immediately be fired. This assertiveness certainly shows the seriousness of the government in tackling the increasingly dangerous threat of radicalism.
Nevertheless, Fachrul will still make a different approach to the general public. Not immediately dealt with, because the general public certainly needs to get an appeal and enlightenment first.
Social media has also become a factor that changes the behavior of religious attitudes. Today’s global community has been integrated globally. What is an issue in Europe and America, for example, can easily happen in Indonesia. Among these changes, the issue of radicalism is something to be aware of
Of course to tackle radicalism, the government requires systematic, structured and massive efforts to deal with radicalism. You can’t do it only if you do sporadic activities.
The Director General of Islamic Education has now made a circular to the chancellors of tertiary institutions to create a center for studies aimed at making moderation efforts in religion. A religious climate that is tolerant, moderate, peaceful and inclusive must be developed primarily to understand diversity.
One that must be addressed immediately is religious teaching in primary and secondary schools. At present, the Director General of Islamic Education Kamarudin is completing the rewriting of religious textbooks in elementary schools from grade one to grade six. If there are no obstacles this year the rewriting of religious studies will be complete. The book also includes programs for religious moderation and of course counter-radicalism.
Programs that teach about nationalism and patriotism must naturally develop into an inclusive and democratic campaign. Education like this is what is expected to ward off radical understanding in educational institutions.
At present in Indonesia actually has a very strong religious infrastructure or diversity tradition in counteracting radicalism, for example Indonesia has NU and Muhammadiyah which have long been community organizations that play a major role in developing moderate religious zeal.
Of course, the efforts to deradicalize this are not only carried out by the relevant ministries and institutions, but mainly must be supported by all officials up to the local government.
) * The writer is a political sociologist
