From Risk to Resilience: Policy Innovation at The Counterterrorism Crossroads in Indonesia

The purpose of this research was to evaluate whether the successful implementation of Indonesia’s counterterrorism efforts is a result of law enforcement, intelligence, or community relationships. Specifically, this research examines how community relations can help to prevent individuals from becoming radicalized. Data collected using the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Terrorism Risk Index Survey (TRIS) between 2021-2023 and using local surveys to measure digital literacy and diversity in Central Sulawesi, were used to examine the successes and failures of the country’s counterterrorism efforts. A descriptive statistical analysis of three years of TRIS panel data from 151 of Indonesia’s regencies/cities; a comparative case study analysis of selected high-risk/low-risk regions in Indonesia, and an analysis of survey data used to construct indices based upon face-to-face interviews with 400 participants in Central Sulawesi were also conducted. These indices included the Digital Literacy Index (DLI), Diversity Index (DI), and Radicalization Potential Index (RPI). The results show that there are several areas of concern when it comes to the current anti-terrorism policies and procedures being implemented by the BNPT. These concerns include very low digital literacy rates (62.8% of participants were classified as low-literacy); moderate levels of exclusivist attitudes; and very little public knowledge regarding government-sponsored anti-terrorism programs, especially among urban residents, women, and younger adults. Recommendations for future policy innovation include developing and implementing targeted digital literacy education programs to develop inclusive attitudes and increasing the amount of public outreach regarding BNPT and FKPT programs.