Combat Terrorism Through Extraordinary Measures: President

  Jakarta (Antaranews Jatim) - President Joko Widodo asked for extraordinary counteract measures to address terrorism threats, including hard power and soft power.

"Terrorism is an extraordinary crime and so it should be combated through extraordinary measures. All along, our focus have been more on the use of hard power, by using more actions," he said in a closed meeting on prevention and counter terrorism in the Presidential offices on Tuesday.

He believed that prevention measures, carried out through strict law enforcement without any compromise by hunting down and dismantling terrorism networks down to its roots are certainly of utmost importance, but it still may not be enough.

"It is time for us to balance out our approach with soft power, and when we talk about soft power, I am not only talking about intensifying de-radicalization programs with former terrorism convicts, but also cleaning up institutions from kindergarten to primary school, junior and high school, vocational schools, universities, public spaces and public platforms from terrorism ideologies," he added.

He is certain that preventative measures are important, considering the recent incident that took place in Surabaya and Sidoarjo, East Java on May 13 that involved families, women and under-aged children.

"This is a warning to all of us. This is a wake up call, showing us that families have become targets for terrorism doctrines as well. I would like to once again remind you that terrorism ideologies have infiltrated our families and our schools, and for that reason, I would like to have a mix of hard power and soft power in addressing this," he reiterated.

Attending the limited meeting were Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo and Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu.

There were also, Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H Laoly, Minister of Communications and Information Rudiantara, Military Force Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, Police Chief General Tito Karnavian, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs AM Fachir, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung

Also present in the meeting were Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Minister of Health Nila F Moeloek, Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Administrative Reform and Bureaucracy Reform Asman Abnur, Attorney General HM Prasetyo and Head of National Agency for Counter-Terrorism Suhardi Alius.(*)