Head of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) Commissioner General Boy Rafli Amar alerted about a significant increase in online radicalization.

“We need to remind our children to not substantiate narrated material from terrorist networks that misuse the internet or social media. This is because it can divide our nation,” Amar noted in a statement here on Thursday.

According to the BNPT head, counter-narration is crucial to rebuff such intolerant propaganda, and the public should voice the messages of peace, unity, tolerance, and love for the nation.

In its efforts to prevent radicalization through the internet as well as mass media, the BNPT has involved stakeholders, including the government, public, academics, and businesses.

The agency has established “Warung NKRI,” a communication forum for the society to evoke the spirit of nationalism, he remarked.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform Tjahjo Kumolo applauded the establishment of “Warung NKRI” while stating that the country is currently facing the challenges of radicalism, terrorism and intolerance.

According to Kumolo, the role of ulemas and teachers is crucial to build a peace-loving nation despite its diversity.

“The most prominent challenge for the nation after 76 years of independence is radicalism and terrorism. We, as a nation, have one common goal to unite the nation that is diverse in race, religion, belief, and culture,” the minister stated.

Warung NKRI is a program of the BNPT that involves all elements of the nation to encourage dialog on nationalism.

The agency’s head inaugurated the fourth “Warung NKRI” at the Hedon café, Banyuwangi District, East Java.

Source: Antara News