BNPT Gandeng Universities To Prevent Terrorism In Campus Class

Head of BNPT Commissioner General (Komjen) Police Boy Rafli Amar/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) cooperates with Universitas Brawijaya (UB) and the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) to prevent the campus environment from being exploited by terrorist networks.

"Religious activities on campus are often used by terrorist networks to attract sympathizers", said Commissioner General Boy Rafli Amar in a written statement received in Jakarta, Thursday, July 7.

Not only that, but students are also vulnerable to being influenced by radical propaganda circulating on social media, said the Head of BNPT.

Facing this phenomenon, the academic community must be sensitive and active in educating good religious values, as well as strengthening the values ​​of state consensus, said Boy Rafli.

According to him, terrorism does not hesitate to use religious narratives to approve extreme violence. Therefore, all parties, including the campus environment, must draw a firm line of demarcation that it is not religious teaching.

"Let's strengthen national insight, strengthen understanding of the four basic consensuses and religious moderation", he said.

Think inclusive

Meanwhile, the Chancellor of Brawijaya University Prof. Widodo acknowledged the importance of the role of the academic community in preventing radicalism and terrorism.

According to him, the community in the campus environment can take part through the tri dharma of higher education, namely education, research, and community service.

"Education of love for the country is important for students. Thus, an open and inclusive frame of mind emerges", he said.

On the one hand, he said the younger generation needed time to understand their identity.

Therefore, the university prepares student activity units or activities that increase professionalism, and build student perspectives that are open and tolerant of differences.

"We can work together with BNPT in the Nusantara Terpadu Area in the context of the community service process", said Widodo.

In line with that, the Chancellor of the University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Dr. Fauzan said that currently, all campus activities are always under the supervision of educators. The goal is to prevent radical movements.

"We must build awareness that this country cannot be carried by one group. Moreover, as an educational institution that incidentally builds civilization in the future, of course, insight into national values ​​is an inseparable part", said Fauzan.

BNPT and the two universities agreed to conduct a joint study related to radicalism and terrorism. The campus will also be actively involved in the Nusantara Terpadu Area established by BNPT for welfare-based deradicalization.