By: Davina Gunawan )*
Until now, there are still activities carried out by caliphate groups and extremism in Indonesia. The government has made various efforts to eliminate the influence of the caliphate movement and extremism, one of which is disbanding the Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) group by issuing Law no. 17 of 2013 concerning Mass Organizations to revoke permits for mass organizations that are anti-Pancasila.
According to data from the IDN Research Institute, it shows that as many as 19.5 percent of the millennial generation agree that the caliphate is a form of idealism for a country. This means that there are still several elements of society who agree on understanding the caliphate.
As a young generation who has big dreams, they should have a counter-caliphate and extremism strategy so as not to get trapped in the idea of the caliphate. One of them is by holding a Youth Dialogue carried out by young people in Karawang.
Chairman of the East Karawang KNPI, Nurpauzi, said that there was a need to prevent the development of radical ideas among young people. With advances in technology and the acceleration of digital information media, it could backfire if people are unable to sort and select accurate information.
He added that the importance of cooperation between the Government and society in tackling radicalism and extremism. All parties must work together to prevent radicalism, especially young people. This is because radical actions and extremism can occur as a result of ignoring the role of the Government and society towards activities carried out by their environment.
Apart from that, the lack of literacy among society is a problem that often plunges society into hoax narratives and radicalism. It is not uncommon for people to be easily provoked so that radical actions emerge which result in divisions in society. He hopes that the younger generation can be at the forefront of preventing and countering radicalism in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) has firmly appealed to young people to be exposed to radicalism and intolerance in Indonesia. BNPT Deputy for Prevention, Protection and Deradicalization, Major General TNI Roedy Widodo, said that there are three groups who are vulnerable to being exposed to radicalism, including women, teenagers and children. These three groups are the nation’s next generation which it is feared could damage the Pancasila ideology if it is not anticipated early.
Roedy also said that exposure to radicalism and terrorism could occur through the influence of social media. Information received by young people on social media must have its source and validity confirmed. He invites young people not to easily accept or even follow content that is hateful, intolerant and rejects diversity.
This content is what triggers the birth of radicalism content on social media. The younger generation must adhere to the four national consensuses and continue to strengthen national unity, because quite a few countries have been destroyed because of radicalism.
BNPT Director of Prevention, Prof. Irfan Idris said that currently the increase in radicalism ideological movements beneath the surface is targeting women, children and teenagers. He emphasized the importance of national preparedness, counter-radicalization, and the need for monitoring of educational institutions.
Steps that need to be taken by educational institutions to strengthen their deterrence and resistance to exposure to radicalism include policies from all universities to encourage the increase of moderate national and religious insight, to the implementation of curricula and activities that are sterile from the infiltration of radical ideology.
Today’s young people must make Pancasila the most effective antidote in efforts to ward off radicalism and terrorism which are real threats to national security stability. In fact, Pancasila provides space for every element of society to actualize religious views in a moderate manner. Apart from that, the example of National Leaders in religion is an important inspiration for the younger generation which can be put into practice through concrete actions.
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 radical and extremism groups which are showing themselves again during the 2024 leadership transition period. The emergence of these banned groups is a strong signal that transnational organizations are still exist in Indonesia.
Education and understanding about the threats faced by radical organizations and sects really need to be improved. 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.
Don’t let radicalism destroy national harmony and unity. Therefore, the important role of education and public awareness in responding to information circulating on social media is to create a digital environment that is safe and healthy from exposure to radicalism.
)* The author is a contributor to Ruang Baca Nusantara
