Chief of Polri Requests to Involve TNI to Counter Terrorism

The Indonesian National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian converses with Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, prior to Limited Cabinet Meeting, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (22/5). (Photo: JAY/PR)

The Indonesian National Police (Polri) Chief General Tito Karnavian admitted that he asked the Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto to get involved in a joint operation to counter terrorism.

General Tito explained that 75 percent of counter terrorism operation in Indonesia is intelligence activities, whereas 5 percent of it is striking operation or enforcement and 20 percent of it is trial preparation.

“So the principle of handling terrorism is how to win public support. If the public supports the Government and the State, then terrorism will not be able to develop,” said General Tito to reporters after attending Limited Meeting on Counter Terrorism, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (22/5).

General Tito also expressed his believe that if the public supports the Government’s efforts to counter terrorism, then the terrorists will remain exist but only in small scale. On the contrary, if the State is not supported by the public or being over-reactive (to the terrorists), the public will give sympathy to them.

“So I think the TNI and Polri must join forces to handle this issue, similar to Tinombala Operation— a joint operation to counter terrorists by the TNI and Polri in 2016 in Poso District, Central Sulawesi,” he explained.

Common Problem

Related to the children who were involved in terrorism acts in Surabaya and Sidoarjo, General Tito said that supervision is needed for the parents.

But for now, the General continued, the Government will focus on the children and make efforts to prevent these children from being exposed to radical understanding by their parents.

General Tito also reminded that Polri cannot work alone. He asked all parties, such as Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Ministry of Social Affairs, and other related Ministries in the field of economy, religion, education, also non-governmental as well as mass organizations.

“This is our common problem. We should prevent our families and children to get influenced —by terrorism. Especially for the parents, we need to handle and prevent them from involving in terrorism acts,” said General Tito. (FID / JAY / ES) (STU/MMB/Naster)