RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto officially signed Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 8/2026 on the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Handling of Violent Extremism Leading to Terrorism for 2026–2028 on February 9, 2026.

The regulation has sparked debate in the House of Representatives. Commission I lawmaker Tubagus Hasanuddin reminded the government that efforts to combat extremism must remain grounded in democratic principles and human rights to avoid criminalizing innocent citizens.

“Handling extremism must be based on democracy, respect for human rights, and fair resolution of social problems,” Hasanuddin said in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday, May 8, 2026, as quoted by Antara. He warned that several points in the regulation’s annex could unfairly label certain communities.

Among the highlighted factors driving extremism are communal conflicts rooted in religious and primordial sentiments, economic inequality, political differences, unfair treatment, and tolerance in religious life.

Hasanuddin argued that three of these: economic inequality, political differences, and unfair treatment, require careful explanation to prevent biased interpretations.

He stressed that poverty and economic disparity should be addressed through equitable policies and social protection, not security crackdowns. “If poor communities protest against injustice, they must not be hastily labeled as extremist groups,” he said.

Hasanuddin cautioned that such labeling could lead to repressive approaches to socio-economic issues, undermining democracy.

He also criticized the inclusion of political differences as a factor in extremism. According to him, public criticism of government policies is a constitutional right that must not be silenced under the guise of security. “Public criticism must not be mistaken for extremism. This is dangerous for democracy and erodes freedom of expression,” he said.

As a legislator overseeing defense affairs, Hasanuddin urged the government to ensure that the implementation of Perpres No. 8/2026 is transparent and proportional.

The regulation establishes a joint secretariat for the National Action Plan on Violent Extremism (RAN PE) to synchronize efforts among ministries, agencies, and local administrations. Its tasks include formulating policies, coordinating implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and preparing reports on achievements and outcomes. ***