Jakarta The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) has appealed to the younger generation to foster a national character that prioritizes tolerance in social life in order to live a harmonious life.
“As residents of a diverse area, the spirit of unity in the frame of diversity must be fostered by each individual, while still promoting tolerance in social life for the sake of creating harmonization of life,” main secretary of the BNPT Major General Dedi Sambowo said, according to a written statement received here on Saturday.
He made the remarks during the “Nusantara Camp, Caring for Diversity with Tolerance” at Walet Beach, Muara Badak, Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, on Friday (August 19, 2022).
More than 200 youths of various ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds from East Kalimantan province participated in the event hosted by the agency’s cyberspace peace ambassador for East Kalimantan Region.
Sambowo said that the Nusantara Camp could serve as a momentum to build friendship between community and youth organizations, art communities, tribal organizations, and students. It could also become an agenda for sharing knowledge about national insights.
“This is in accordance with the spirit of multi-stakeholder involvement (pentahelix), that being elements of the government, society, academics, media, and the business sector to prevent the spread of radicalism and terrorism through improvement in the four national consensus of Indonesia,” he informed.
Thus, through the camp, he said he expected East Kalimantan youths to become a generation with love for the nation and Pancasila, which is able to pursue the ideals of its predecessors, particularly after the establishment of the state capital in East Kalimantan.
Meanwhile, Deputy Governor of East Kalimantan Hadi Mulyadi, who also attended the event, commended the Nusantara Camp. He said he hopes that the event will be able to neutralize the radical thoughts that divide the nation.
He further said he expected the event to reinforce the values of national unity and integrity that have been passed down by ancestors.
“I really appreciate the (implementation of) Nusantara Camp event. This is an amazing event. There is a cultural exchange between eastern youth, and this is in accordance with the National Counterterrorism Agency’s counter-terrorism program. This means that this event is expected to neutralize radical paradigms,” he remarked.
He emphasized that unity and integrity are priceless and must be upheld by the Indonesian people. The young generation is obliged to maintain them as unity and harmonious social relations have been established and become the hallmark of the people of East Kalimantan.
“Many countries are divided due to differences. Unity of the nation is an (indispensable thing, a must). East Kalimantan is one of the provinces that has good, conducive social relations, ready to live side by side with any ethnicity and religion,” he added.
Source: Antara News