Weak Ideological Resilience Acts as Trigger

Ideology and socio-culture are the weakest parts of the 2020 National Resilience Index dimension. This condition can cause youth to become involved in terrorism.

KOMPAS/RENY SRI AYU

Police officers stand guard around the Cathedral Church, Makassar, Sunday (28/3/2021) after the suicide bombing.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Weak ideological and sociocultural resilience, especially exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is thought to have contributed to the emergence of many young people who think radically and even dare to carry out acts of terror, such as in the recent suicide bombing at a cathedral in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday. A strengthening of social cohesion is needed to overcome this problem. Meanwhile, Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin emphasized the importance of the involvement of all segments of society to prevent terrorism.

Ideological and sociocultural dimensions are at their weakest by a number of measures according to the 2020 National Resilience Index compiled through a study by the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas).

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A Lemhannas professional staff member, Dadan Umar Daihani, said on Tuesday (30/3/2021) that without the COVID-19 pandemic, ideological and sociocultural scopes were at a low level. When the pandemic hit, noncompliance and intolerance increased while rationality decreased with the support of social media.

“Our social cohesion is decreasing because of the factionalization of the elite and the many groups that are dissatisfied. This has not immediately exploded, but there is a precondition, a feeling of frustration that continues to be fanned," he said.

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Dadan said views that focused more on beliefs than facts emerged. He suspected this thinking had developed among young people, such as those who became the suicide bombers at the Makassar cathedral. The two suicide bombers were under 30 years of age.

Our social cohesion is decreasing because of the factionalization of the elite and the many groups that are dissatisfied.

To overcome the problem of ideological and sociocultural resilience, negative things or threats caused by the pandemic should be turned into opportunities. For example, to strengthen the social cohesion of the community, those who are well off are expected to help others who are in need.

KOMPAS/JOHANES GALUH BIMANTARA

The police examined and searched the residence of the suspected terrorist on Jalan Raya Cikarang-Cibarusah, Sukasari Village, Serang Baru District, Bekasi Regency, Monday (29/3/2021).

Meanwhile, Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin on the sidelines of his working visit in North Barito, Central Kalimantan, on Tuesday, said the government was continuing to fight against terrorism and pursue deradicalization. However, terrorist cells still exist. "Therefore, the community, religious leaders and community leaders must help by providing understanding, monitoring and preventing the possibility of radicalism," he said.

Three people were arrested

With regard to the suicide bombing at the Makassar Cathedral, the head of the Public Information Division of the National Police, Sr. Comr. Ahmad Ramadhan, said the police had arrested three other suspected terrorists. All three were women. Previously, the police arrested four suspects so that a total of seven people were arrested.

Regarding the Jakarta terrorist network that was revealed on Monday, the head of public relations for the Jakarta Police, Sr. Comr. Yusri Yunus, said investigators had not found any connection between the terrorist network and the suicide bombing in Makassar.

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Apart from confiscating a significant amount of evidence in the form of bombs and raw materials from the Jakarta terrorist network, the police also found a membership card of a mass organization that had been banned. The name written on the membership card was that of one of the suspected terrorists who was arrested. The title on the membership card is deputy head of jihad for the branch leadership board in Kramatjati district, East Jakarta.

There is no need for people to panic or be afraid

The head of the public relations for the South Sulawesi Police, Sr. Comr. E Zulpan, said that the National Police would guarantee the safety of Christians celebrating Easter services this weekend. "There is no need for people to panic or be afraid," he said.

He said South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen. Merdisyam had instructed his ranks to strengthen security. ( NAD/ INA/JOG/ OKA)

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.