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TNI to play role in curbing radicalism

Jakarta Post - April 10, 2015

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Nani Afrida, Jakarta – The Indonesian Military (TNI) has struck a deal with the Religious Affairs Ministry for a joint campaign to strop radicalism, including the spread of the Islamic State (IS) movement in the country.

Under the agreement, the TNI may start its campaign during the 94th military community service program, also known as TNI Masuk Desa, which will kick off in May this year.

"This is standard for the TNI; it is very responsive to issues like these. The TNI has invited us to join its campaign, and we've agreed to be its partner. We want to spread information on Islamic teachings to Muslims in this country," Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin told a press briefing on Thursday.

This year's community service program will involve 9,150 army personnel and will take place in 61 regencies and municipalities in the country. In the program, the army will work on infrastructure projects including the construction of bridges, roads and offices and the renovation of mosques and churches.

Aside from infrastructure programs, soldiers will also educate villagers on the dangers of radical movements.

"For this year's community service, we will focus on religiosity. Besides developing infrastructure, we also want to develop people's spirituality," Army deputy chief of staff Lt. Gen. Muhammad Munir said. Munir explained that although radicalism was not yet a cause for concern, it could become so.

Minister Lukman also said that the ministry would assist the TNI in the program by deploying Muslim scholars to help soldiers propagate the true teachings of Islam.

Military community service sees TNI personnel sent into villages to build infrastructure and promote nationalism among citizens.

During the New Order era, president Soeharto rolled out the program, known as ABRI Masuk Desa (AMD), which was used as a tool to monitor and discourage dissent or opposition to his rule.

The program was also used to gain political support from villagers across the country, allowing him to remain in power for more than three decades.

The program was terminated after Soeharto fell from power in 1998. The program was revived soon afterwards with a number of modifications.

As well as allowing soldiers to disseminate a moderate version of Islam under the community service program, the Religious Affairs Ministry has also given the go-ahead for the TNI to get involved in a long-term radicalism prevention program.

"We will have a separate agreement for that. This is to respond to the radical influence of IS. We will work with the ministry, because radicalism is part of the ministry's domain," Munir said.

He added that under the planned agreement, the ministry and the TNI would boost the role of the Religious Affairs Office (KUA) in preventing radicalism.

Under the planned agreement, KUA officials could work non-commissioned officers assigned to villages (Babinsa) to map areas that are vulnerable to IS and other radical influences.

"We need to change the image of the KUA. It has tremendous potential," Munir said, adding that it was time for the KUA to shed perceptions that its sole purpose was as a place to register Islamic weddings.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/04/10/tni-play-role-curbing-radicalism.html.