"They have been existed even before 11 September 2001," he said on Sunday, as reported by Nasihin Masha from Republika.

He said that extremism was also existed in other countries. "But several countries are not exposed because they have no roots and targets," he said.

The roots of terrorism, he said, were ignorance and poverty. Yet, some can be from middle class and educated people. First thing to prevent terrorism is through persuasive approach. "I have asked community leaders several time to teach their people how seriously wrong terrorism is," he said.

Second is that preventive act is must be conducted in the field. And it becomes a task for all elements in this country as well as police and local leaders. People must also be aware and sensitive towards their environment.

President said that Indonesian police had conducted many preventive acts to tackle terrorism. "Police's task is to continue preventive act," he said