REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, CIREBON – Defence and security concepts in Indonesia needed to be updated, the former Indonesian president, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, said related to his speech on terrorism. He also underlined the importance of ulama (Islamic cleric -Ed) and pesantren (Islamic boarding school –Ed) in preventing terrorism. 

"Through education and culture that put forward compassion in its broad meaning, pesantren and ulama can prevent terrorism," he said in the opening of international seminar on Ulama Pesantren's Role in Overcoming Global Terrorism held by Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) and Federal Republic of Germany in Cirebon.

Habibie assessed, the preventing of terrorism could be carried out by implementing the advanced defense and security. Terrorism act is now broader due to the development of technology, communication, and transportation.

"Facebook and twitter play the role in spreading terrorism idea which is faster than before," Habibie said.

The terrorism is not only more advanced, but also has tendency towards radicalism. The act is arbitrary and pointing to crowded place then no wonder that many of the victims are civilians.

Habibie added, terrorism act is mostly conducted by a group worked for certain political interest. Even, it aims to change the laws and intercepts national stability.

"Sadly, the concept of defense and security in Indonesia is classic and conventional," he said. To tackle the terrorism, strategic steps are needed, such as strengthening international cooperation. Yet, Habibie said the cooperation should in accordance with culture, science, technology, and religion. For religion, science, and technology, pesantren again plays a great role. 

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