Terror Group Spreads Propaganda Through Internet, Expert Asks Government To Increase BNPT's Authority

Stanislaus Riyanta as a guest speaker in the Tolerance Cafe podcast uploaded on the BNPT Public Relations YouTube channel (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Intelligence and Terrorism expert Stanislaus Riyanta proposed that the government give more authority to the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT). BNPT's great authority will mobilize the community so as to create a national counter-radicalism and terrorism movement.

“What BNPT is fighting against is not just one or two groups, one or two people, but radicalization that is already massive in society. That's why we need great strength," said Stanislaus Riyanta when he was a guest speaker on the Tolerance Cafe podcast which was uploaded to the BNPT Public Relations YouTube channel, Antara, Saturday, October 30.

According to him, the great power is actually the people and to move them requires great authority. Thus, from this description, Stanislaus suggested that the government could increase the authority possessed by BNPT.

Stanis, Stanislaus Riyanta's nickname, also said that in this Industry 4.0 era, the impact of radicalization has an extraordinary level of danger for the Indonesian nation.

He observed that in the past, the influence of radicalization was carried out face-to-face from person to person, at this time, radicalism groups are easier to recruit new members.

They carry out propaganda that is spread through various content on the internet. Then, everyone can read, hear, or view the content, and then be exposed.

Stanis also believes that granting more authority to BNPT can enable them to have the ability to influence or intervene in the policies of other institutions related to counter-radicalism and terrorism.

Because basically, Stanis continued, overcoming the threat of radicalization in the Industry 4.0 era requires collaboration between institutions.

"The authority of BNPT must be increased again. If it is on par with other institutions, collaborating only formally will be a hassle,” said Stanis.

When the authority between BNPT and other institutions is equal, added Stanis, these institutions will tend to question why they should play a role in tackling radicalism and terrorism.

For this reason, BNPT also needs more authority to ensure that all institutions in Indonesia play a role in tackling the threat of radicalism and terrorism which is increasingly dangerous at this time.