BNPT Reveals Zero Open Terrorist Attacks In Indonesia Throughout 2023

Illustration. Densus 88 members brought the suspect in a terrorism case to the plane at Juanda Airport in Surabaya on Thursday, March 18, 2021. (Between-Umarul Faruq)

JAKARTA - Head of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) Rycko Amelza Dahniel said that none of the open terrorist attacks that occurred in Indonesia throughout 2023.

"Alhamdulillah, throughout 2023, no single open terrorist attack has occurred in Indonesia or zero terrorist attack," Rycko said in his remarks at the 2024 BNPT National Working Meeting (Rakernas) in Jakarta, Tuesday, February 20, which was confiscated by Antara.

According to him, this condition is an achievement, considering that Indonesia is a country that records terrorist attacks every year and has active terrorist network cells.

This is an extraordinary achievement and a phenomenon that is of concern to the world. Indonesia, which records terrorist attacks every year and a country that has active terrorist network cells, is able to record a history of no single open terrorism attack throughout 2023," he said.

This achievement, continued Rycko, is the fruit of the synergy between the Police, TNI, and the community who supports effective, massive, and proactive law enforcement.

"Thank you to the Police, TNI, and all Indonesian people," he added.

However, Rycko reminded all parties to remain vigilant. He likened this zero terrorist attack phenomenon to the theory of icebergs, which does not appear on the surface, does not mean there is no movement at the bottom.

"Under the surface there is an increase in consolidation and the process of radicalization," he said.

Rycko explained, there are three things that underlie all parties to remain vigilant. First, the strengthening of terrorism cells has increased as the number of arrested perpetrators increases and the number of seizures of weapons, ammunition, and explosives.

"Secondly, there has been an increase in fundraising, collecting funds, by using various means and taking advantage of various momentum," he continued.

Third, there is an increase in the radicalization process targeting women, children and adolescents. This condition becomes the three groups vulnerable to radicalization.

"The radicalization process is carried out systematically, massively, and is planned by utilizing religious numbers and manipulating religious symbols and attributes," he said.

The National Working Meeting of BNPT 2024 carries the theme "Protecting Women, Children and Youth from Terrorism Radical Ideology to accelerate Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Transformation" with the slogan "BNPT Presents for Women, Children and Teenagers of Indonesia".

This National Working Meeting was also attended by Plt. Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Tito Karnavian as well as Minister and Ministry of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform Abdullah Azwar Anas.