Suicide Bombing In Makassar Is A Strong Signal That Government Is Not Relaxed In Dealing With Extremists

Portrait of the gate of the Makassar Cathedral Church shortly after the suicide bombing incident, Sunday morning (28/03/2021). (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Setara Institute said that the suicide bombing at the Cathedral Church of Makassar City, Sunday, March 28 should be a signal for the government not to be lax in dealing with violent extremism. Director of the Setara Institute, Ismail Hasani said prevention and prosecution must be done.

Don't because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, then the government will be lax in monitoring extremists. This is because the understanding of violence like this is driven by an ideological stimulus that will not subside just because there is a spread of the virus in the country.

"In the midst of the government's high concentration in handling the impact of the pandemic, the attention to handling violent extremism must not be reduced," said Ismail in his written statement quoted Monday, March 29.

Apart from that, the government must also take comprehensive and measurable actions. This is done in order to mitigate and carry out precise law enforcement for the safety of all citizens.

Ismail said the government needs to accelerate Presidential Regulation Number 7 of 2021 the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Combating of Violent Extremism that Leads to Terrorism (RAN-PE). So, this kind of bombing incident will no longer be repeated.

Furthermore, the Setara Institute also urges local governments and civil society elements in the regions to contribute significantly to the prevention of violent extremism. One of them is by removing the environment that triggers extremism and building an environment that is tolerant and inclusive.

"So that all the nation's children can live side by side in peace (peaceful coexistence) in the midst of differences in diversity," said Ismail.

"Acceptance of diversity is a major predictor for the successful handling of violent extremism and for strengthening diversity," he added.

As previously reported, a suicide bomb explosion occurred in the vicinity of the Cathedral Church, Makassar City, Sunday, March 28, at around 10.30 central Indonesia time. As a result of this explosion, several people became victims.

The explosion was said to have come from a motorbike rider. There are at least two people suspected of being the perpetrators. So far, the police are still looking for information and clues about the incident.