Discourse War between the Indonesian Government and the Indonesian Radicals

Abstract

There is no doubt that radicalism has become a major international issue for many contemporary governments, including the present Indonesian Government, since it can have a devastating effect on a country, especially on its economy. What the Indonesian Government considers to be radicals are Muslim mujahidin (fighters) or jihadists, who allow the use violence to achieve their goals. The government often call them 'terrorists', a term which has become highly discredited both in the Indonesian media and worldwide. These are also held to include those who aid them, or may choose to withhold information about them. A major method employed by the government to curb terrorism has been the establishment of the so-called 'deradicalization' program, the latter organized by its counter terrorism agency known as BNPT. However, unlike in some other countries where radicalization is harshly treated, the Indonesian Government is careful not to ban the expression of all radical views, perhaps fearing that suppressing these views could tarnish its democratic image. Drawing on an empirical analysis of the documents released by Indonesian radicals and also by the Indonesian Government, and, further, from the media statements made by individuals supporting the respective sides, this paper presents an analysis of what I elect to call a 'discourse war' between government officials in their de-radicalisation and counter-radicalisation attempts and, further, in the counter attempts launched on the part of radical groups and their supporters. This topic is important to better understand the current state and the future prospects of outbreaks of both aggressive radicalism and of actual terrorism in Indonesia.