Prevent Radicalism Among Members, Banten Deputy Police Chief Asks Personnel To Build Good Communication

SERANG - Banten Police held an activity to foster religious moderation for civil servants at the National Police in the context of preventing radicalism and religious intolerance within the Banten Police, which was held at the Banten Police Multipurpose Hall, Wednesday 27 July.

On that occasion, Banten Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Ery Nursatari said that the notion of radicalism and intolerance is not a new thing for the Indonesian people.

"Since the beginning of independence, until the reformation, various underminings of Pancasila values have remained in the form of diverse motives and movements, after the proclamation of independence there have been violent rebellions in various regions in the country," said Ery, in a written statement.

Ery said the threat of radical groups had evolved and tended to use racial issues which resulted in horizontal conflicts.

"Radicalism and acts of intolerance are embryos of the birth of terrorism, which develops rapidly as a result of the development of the strategic environment, especially information technology," said Ery.

Ery also conveyed that the spread of radical beliefs, doctrines, and ideologies is easily done through social media where people can learn without a teacher, which results in misunderstandings and the implementation of ideas that can cause problems for the wider community.

Ery also explained that the developing dynamics showed a bigger challenge for the task. This is shown by the wide spread of radicalism and anti-Pancasila ideology, the strengthening of religious intolerance, anarchic actions, and social conflicts as well as the increasing threat of national disintegration to the occurrence of treason movements carried out by certain groups.

Ery invited all participants, especially Banten Police personnel to build communication and synergy.

"By involving the roles of all religious leaders, community leaders, traditional leaders and educational institutions to jointly provide guidance so that they can fortify themselves to counteract the influence of radical ideas and actions of tolerance for the realization of a safe and peaceful Banten," concluded Ery.