Saturday, March 18, 2017 (16:06 WIB)

De-radicalisation Against Perpetrators of Terrorism Must be Enhanced, says Khairul Ghazali

De-radicalisation against the perpetrators of terrorism and those who have contracted the virus of radicalism and terrorism must be enhanced and continued in order to overcome terrorism in Indonesia.

So far, the government-run de-radicalization is good, but still must be maximized for the right target and succeed in curbing terrorism.

"Current de-radicalisation is pretty good. The success is also significant. The proof is a lot of the people who were once radical have now become moderate," the former terrorist Khairul Ghazali stated when contacted on Saturday (18/03/2017).

However, he acknowledged there are some of them who have not been 'cured' and back to the understanding of jihad that has actually wrong. But it was only a handful, and groups that still support radicalization is only a small fraction.

This former perpetrator of terror and robbery of Bank CIMB Medan is assessing the government's move to embrace the ex-combatants to help the de-radicalization program is also quite effective. Because the people have been exposed to violent ideology would be difficult to be approached by people outside them.

"One key to de-radicalise it is that we must be close to the former perpetrators of terror. It should be close and to be with the heart. It can not be argued, they were not the person who should be advised. Because they already feel that they are dissuaded by themselves," Khairul said.

A better approach, according to Khairul is an economic approach, not ideology. This new economic future of their ideological tension will decrease. "Why? They see the country taking care of me, paying attention to my children, oh country pay attention to my wife and family. Then they will soften, especially if the condition of the economy is also good," Khairul said, who is now active in building schools for the children of victims of terrorism in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra.

According to him, the former perpetrators of acts of terrorism after serving definitely need a job so they do not return to the wrong road. Therefore they must be trained skills. In this case, BNPT as counter-terrorism coordinator in Indonesia can cooperate with other agencies to train. BNPT can cooperate with social services, the Provincial Government, the City/County where former terrorists were, to monitor and continue to direct them.

"This step should be fast. That day they were released the same day is already beginning to be noticed," said Khairul.

Khairul appreciates the steptaken by BNPT Chief Commissioner General Pol. Drs. Suhardi Alius, SH with a de-radicalization program from upstream to downstream. According to him, what the BNPT head doing is going to be good.

"They (former terrorists) are ordinary people who have a heart. As I said before do not preach them on and on. After getting out of prison they should not be stigmatized or ostracized, and their families and children must be assisted economically. After that, slowly change their ideologies. This is the approach taken by Suhardi Alius. This kind of approach has always been what I did and now I realize this by building schools, "he said.

Khairul cited by giving free education to children perpetrators of an offense of terrorism; he was optimistic that someday the kids can bring wisdom to their parents, especially about the wrong understanding of jihad.

He reveals that there are still about 600-an ex-terrorist who was out Penitentiary (Prison) and 200 are still in prison.

"They must be approached with care. Find their positions, aid economically, and have their skills trained in the right way. So do their family and children's education. There should be no omission of these former perpetrators, or people who are already infected with the virus of radicalism, "said Khairul Ghazali. Because that would only be annihilating large portions of our citizens. In this era, radical ideologies are taking roots with the speed of a virus because we are screening ourselves. This is our greatest peril. With advertisement, meme, etc about offensive issues booming and being screened as 'jokes', we stopped taking it seriously, or taking it too seriously. 

References:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/28/greatest-peril-screening-reality-4chan-pewdiepie-nothing-matters-fascism

http://www.tribunnews.com/nasional/2017/03/18/deradikalisasi-harus-dilanjutkan-dan-ditingkatkan-kata-khairul-ghazali

Historical Events on this Day!

March 18, 2015: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the ruling Likud party have retained victory in this week's election; Netanyahu will now focus on forming a coalition government.

March 18, 1990: 1st free elections in East Germany, Conservatives beat Communists.

March 18, 1987: U.S. performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site

March 18, 1972: China performs nuclear test at Lop Nor PRC

March 18, 1963: France performs underground nuclear test at Ecker Algeria

March 18, 1190: Crusaders kill 57 Jews in Bury St. Edmonds England