INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION CRUCIAL TO COUNTER CROSS-BORDER MOVEMENT OF TERRORISM by Fardah

Jakarta, Aug 6, 2016 (Antara) - Whether ISIS networks have expanded to Southeast Asia could still be a question to many, but an answer might be found during an International Meeting on Counter-Terrorism in Nusa Dua, Bali on August 10, 2016.   
    As a keynote speaker in the forthcoming meeting, Indonesian Police Chief General Tito Karnavian is expected to talk about a possible regional connection of the terrorist group ISIS.

          "Groups supporting the ISIS already exist in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia as proven by the bombings at Thamrin and Solo. Kidnappings by Abbu Sayyaf have also been very rampant. There is a possible connection among all of these," General Tito Karnavian said recently.   
   Every country in the world, not just in Southeast Asia, must rise to fight terrorism because the extraordinary crime poses a threat to international peace and security, as well as social and economic development, he believed.  
     Besides, the emergence of a new phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) as well as the misuse of cyber technology in spreading the ideas of extremism and radicalism will also be topics of discussion during the international meeting.

         The meeting aims to strengthen the international cooperation network in addressing the growing threat of cross-border ramifications of terrorism, which includes actors, information and also finance flows.

         The meeting will be convened back-to back with the 2nd Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) Summit, to be jointly organized by the Indonesian Transaction Report and Analysis Centre (PPATK) and the Australian Transaction Report and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), at the same venue, from August 8 to 11.

          At least 200 specialists from more than 20 countries will gather for the CTF aimed at promoting cooperation and collaboration among financial intelligence agencies, particularly in South-East Asia.  
   This year's summit will deliver real outcomes on terrorism financing that AUSTRAC and PPATK have developed jointly with Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

         By working together, regional agencies are aiming to further disrupt and dismantle the sources and networks that help finance terrorist organizations and terrorist attacks.

         International cooperation is crucial to prevent and combat terrorism whose movement has crossed borders of many countries, the Indonesian government believes.

        Indonesia has established close cooperation in counterterrorism with various countries including Australia. 
    Earlier this month, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in separate bilateral meetings respectively with visiting Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe discussed counterterrorism cooperation.

          "With regard to countering radicalism, extremism, and terrorism, Indonesia is always in the forefront to work together," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi stated after escorting President Widodo for the bilateral meeting with Wickramasinghe.          
     President Jokowi shared Indonesia's experiences in dealing with terrorism at a special session on counterterrorism during the US-ASEAN Summit held in Sunnylands, California, the United States (US), on February 17, 2016.

           The president emphasized the importance of moderation, peace, and tolerance during the session attended by President Barack Obama and leaders of the ASEAN member countries.

          He outlined three points: promoting tolerance in the fight against terrorism and extremism, addressing the root cause of the problem, as well as creating conducive conditions.

         "A combination of hard and soft power is needed to deal with extremism," the president, who was honored as the first speaker at the session, stated.

           With regard to hard power, Indonesia is currently reviewing the law on terrorism in order to strengthen the legal umbrella to tackle it, he explained.

           "Of course, the legislation can be strengthened while respecting human rights," he affirmed.

            As for soft power, the government has been adopting religious and cultural approaches and involving the community and religious organizations.

            The government has also used diversified approaches to promote deradicalisation and to counter radicalism, according to Jokowi.

            Furthermore, during the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) held in Mongolia, last July, ASEM leaders, including Indonesian Vice President M Jusuf Kalla, agreed to enhance international cooperation on handling terrorism according to international laws and the UN charter.

         In fact, General Tito Karnavian has identified regional cooperation in counterterrorism as one of the priorities of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT).

          Globally, terror outfits have shifted from supporting Al Qaeda to backing the ISIS network, Karnavian said after the inauguration of Commissioner General Suhardi Alius as new the BNPT to succeed him recently.

          Alius will often undertake overseas visits to promote counter-terrorism cooperation with his foreign counterparts, he noted. 
   India is looking forward to holding a bilateral meeting on counterterrorism with Indonesia this year, an Indian diplomat recently told Antara. ***2***
(f001/INE/o001)
Edited by INE

(T.F001/B/BESSR/O. Tamindael) 06-08-2016 15:01