Indonesia, Australia Strengthen Cooperation to Fight Against Terrorism

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia and Australia held the Eighth Counter-Terrorism Consultations in Sydney on Tuesday, April 12.

The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation through the bilateral consultation meeting as an important dialog mechanism in the fight against terrorism. Representing Indonesia was the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), while the meeting was hosted by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

“This meeting aims to strengthen the cooperation in counter-terrorism by prioritizing dialog mechanism as we agreed upon during the previous Memorandum of Understanding,” said BNPT head Commissioner General Police Boy Rafli Amar in a statement on Wednesday, April 14.

The two countries discussed the types of threats at the global, regional, and national levels, as well as the efforts to strengthen the partnership in justice and security institutions or the Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Justice (AIPJ2). The officials also touched on the national and bilateral priorities and leadership development of the two countries in international forums. Some activities in the fight against terrorism will be done this year.

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The meeting also pointed out the national strategy and policies developed by Australia in counterterrorism, including violent extremism. The policy has similarities with Indonesia’s plan for action on combating violent extremism (RAN PE).

The statement added that both parties agreed to develop technical cooperation on the issue of online radicalization, issues on women and children, youth, and the financing of terrorism, especially the misuse of digital technology.

Ambassador for Counterterrorism Roger Noble underscored the importance of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism. He said that countering terrorism remains Australia’s priority regardless of the general election in Australia this year.

The bilateral consultation is an annual meeting between the two countries to discuss various terrorism issues, including an intelligence information exchange cooperation.

(Writer: Rahel Narda Chaterine | Editor: Bagus Santosa)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2022/04/14/09461841/indonesia-australia-perkuat-kerja-sama-penanggulangan-terorisme?page=all#page2.