REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Mohamad Nasir has said that radicalism is now spreading on social media, not only in campuses. The ministry has strongly rejected radicalism in campuses.

"The spread of radicalism is also directly targeting individuals through the means of social media," Nasir said here, Thursday.

Indonesia's Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) has revealed that seven prominent campuses throughout the country, namely the University of Indonesia (UI), the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), the University of Diponegoro (Undip), the Surabaya Institute of Technology (ITS), the University of Airlangga (Unair), and the University of Brawijaya (UB) have been exposed to radicalism since 1983, or 35 years ago.

At that time, the government had applied a program called Normalization of Campus Life to depoliticize campuses. Certain groups had filled the void with radicalism.

"I have noticed that not only the seven campuses have been exposed to radicalism. Its potential is big," he said.

Last year, the ministry declared anti-radicalism in campuses and called for protection of campuses from radicalism. He asked university rectors to prevent radicalism spread in campuses.

The minister also said civil servants involved in radicalism must be given stern sanction. He asked rectors to temporarily dismiss lecturers involved in radicalism spread.

The ministry has kept on monitoring the situation in every campus monthly or in every three months. He said every one indicated of spreading radicalism in campuses must be dismissed.

Earlier, Airlangga University (Unair) rector, Mohammad Nasih thanked National Agency for Terrorism Countermeasures (BNPT) for revealing a number of campuses that already infiltrated with radicalism. However, he said it was unfair to mention the campus of a terror suspect.

Nasih believed it was a personal matter and did not have a direct relation to the campus. On the other hand, Nasih asked BNPT to further clarify the data.

"If necessary mention by name, by address, and the other details, including the time of incidence. Let us know whether it was our students, teachers or staff so we can do more effective steps," said Nasih on Monday (May 28).

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