Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu is set to launch a patriotism training program for repatriated Islamic State supporters and militants as part of the government’s deradicalisation program.
Turkish authorities revealed July 15 that of the 4,957 ISIS foreign fighters caught in Turkey 453 are Indonesian nationals. This is the second highest contributor, with Russia accounting for 804 apprehended militants. The Turkish government deported an additional 152 Indonesians believed to be affiliated with ISIS.
Ryacudu said the training would focus on Pancasila – the country’s founding ideology.
“We want former ISIS supporters who return from Syria to participate in the patriotism program. That is part of deradicalisation. We will ‘brainwash’ them,” he said, as quoted by Antara News.
Ryacudu said the aim is to replace the Islamic State ideology in the militants’ mind with Pancasila.
“We will make them know that Indonesia is not an Islamic state but the state of religious followers. They must also know that regulations are effective in Indonesia.”
Previous reports suggested the Defence Minister had said the repatriation of suspected terrorists was a bad idea as they would not be accepted by local authorities.
“If you want to volunteer yourself (in jihad), just engage until you die,” he said earlier this month.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani disagreed, saying that the lives of Indonesian citizens must be protected regardless of their crimes.
Maharani instructed Minister of Social Affairs Khofifah Indar Parawansa and Suhardi Alius, Head of the National Agency for Combating Terrorism (BNPT), to quarantine the repatriated nationals before the deradicalisation program is implemented.
Maharani has also been in communication with the heads of regions in which the former militants had originally come from in Indonesia. She requested the local leaders would be willing to accept the deportees once they complete the program.
The patriotism education program will soon be included in the school curriculum under the plan as a preventative measure against the spread of radical ideology among the youth.
“Patriotism is a priority program of the Ministry of Defense in the future. We will in the near future gather 130 university rectors to discuss campus activities,” Ryamizard said.
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Image credits: CBS News