National

Vice President Starts Ideological War Against Terrorism
Wednesday, 23 November, 2005 | 01:52 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Indonesian Vice President Muhammad Jusuf Kalla has requested law enforcers to work together in settling security problems. Kalla said that this cooperation was important in facing terrorism.

“We should begin both physical and ideological war,” stated Kalla in the opening of law enforcers’ coordination meeting at the National Police headquarters (HQ) in Jakarta on Tuesday (22/11).

Kalla said that the physical war he referred to was the handling of terrorism cases by the police in the field, including finding bombs and arresting the perpetrators. The ideological war can be achieved by giving a proper understanding of religion, such as the real meaning of ‘jihad.’ “This can be accomplished by Muslim scholars and leaders,” stated Kalla.

According to Kalla, Muslim leaders had earlier stated that terrorism and ‘jihad’ by terrorists are against religious teachings. If the ideological approach succeeded, Kalla thought that the burden of the police in the field would lessen.

Therefore, Kalla requested law enforcers not to hesitate in involving religious leaders in enforcing the law. He added that the measure taken by law enforcers must go together in handling security problems.

Kalla also said that cooperation between institutions must be transparent so that the public can follow the process clearly. (Budiriza-Tempo News Room)