BNPT: Ready Villages Programme Builds Community Economic Independence

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) states that the Desa Siapsiaga programme does not only focus on preventing radicalism but also builds community economic independence through productive and locally based activities. At the kick-off workshop in Menes, Banten, on Thursday (23/4), BNPT Head Eddy Hartono said the Desa Siapsiaga programme develops community-based early detection, while strengthening residents’ resilience against the threat of radical terrorist ideologies. “This programme also simultaneously empowers village economies based on local potential,” said Eddy, as confirmed in Jakarta on Friday. He emphasised that cross-sector collaboration is key to the programme’s success, so BNPT, through Desa Siapsiaga, collaborates with PLN Indonesia Power to ensure the workshop or seminar builds an economic ecosystem. BNPT held the kick-off seminar on making paving blocks, or concrete bricks, as an implementation of the Desa Siapsiaga programme that integrates strengthening community resilience against terrorist radicalism threats with local economic empowerment. Eddy explained that the activity is a follow-up to the launch of the Desa Siapsiaga programme in December 2025, conducted together with the Ministry of Villages and Underdeveloped Regions Development (PDT), and is also part of the government’s programme implementation in the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025–2029. “This is an implementation programme of Father President Prabowo as outlined in the RPJMN, where we carry out synergy in defence and security to carry out prevention and also build from the village,” he said. Meanwhile, Senior Manager of PLN Indonesia Power Business Unit Power Plant (UBP) PLTU Banten 2, Wisnu Kurniawan, expressed full support for the programme as part of the commitment to community empowerment. “We from PT Indonesia Power fully support the Desa Siapsiaga programme from BNPT. We support the construction of the paving block workshop by utilising coal combustion waste from the Labuan PLTU,” said Wisnu on the same occasion. He explained that the utilisation of FABA not only reduces waste but also improves product quality. The waste in the form of FABA is very beneficial for enhancing the quality of the paving blocks produced. On the other hand, Menes Sub-District Head Usep Sudarmana welcomed the programme’s presence, which is seen as bringing positive impacts to the local community. “This is a breath of fresh air for all of us. Hopefully, after this, the workshop can run as we all hope, namely helping to empower the Menes community,” said Usep. Through synergy between BNPT, PLN Indonesia Power, local government, and village communities, the Desa Siapsiaga programme is expected to strengthen social resilience while encouraging economic growth based on local potential in the Menes area.