JK: Govt Must Immediately Deal with NII Movement

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former vice president Jusuf Kalla said the government must immediately tackle the cases of brainwashing by the Indonesian Islamic State (NII) movement because the activity was dangerous.

"The government must act firmly against the activity. Anyone involved must be arrested so that it will not cause further unrest among the community," he said after a seminar here on Wednesday.

He stated under the context of Unitary State of Indonesia radical movement like that was very dangerous for the continuity of statehood and nationhood.

Besides arresting the perpetrators other concrete actions the government could take are seeking ways on how the government and the community fight ideas of those conducting brainwashing.

A House Commission III member from the Islamic-based United Development Party (PPP), Ahmad Yani, meanwhile said one of the effective ways to combat brainwashing activity was through Islamic-based political parties.

He believed the extreme movement had happened because certain groups had been dissatisfied by the implementation of Islamic shariah in the country.

"Islam-based political parties through discussion forums could straighten their views about Islamic teachings," he said.

He however also underlined the importance of a family role. "Religious understanding developed in a family could become a strong base to prevent various doctrines that have so far only damage Islam," he said.