Cross-Sector Officials in Bali Strengthen Child Protection to Prevent Extremism
A number of cross-sector officials in Bali are jointly preventing the spread of extremist and terrorist ideologies among students. Collaboration is key to protecting children.
This was reflected in the Triangle Ecosystem of Child Protection in the School Environment Talkshow held at the Presisi Building of the Bali Regional Police, on Friday (24/4). The event resulted from synergy between the Bali Regional Police, Polri’s Densus 88 AT, the Bali Provincial Education and Youth Office, the Bali Provincial Child Protection Commission, and the Bali Provincial Ministry of Religious Affairs Office, involving various stakeholders in education, child protection, and family development.
The event was attended by several officials, including Deputy Minister for Population and Family Development Ratu Ayu Isyana Bagoes Oka, Bali Governor Wayan Koster, representative from the Bali Provincial National Population and Family Planning Board Ni Luh Gede Sukardiasih, Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya, representative from the Bali High Prosecutor’s Office Chandra Eka Yustisia, Head of the Bali Provincial Political and Security Unity Agency Gede Suralaga, Head of the Bali Provincial Education and Youth Office Ida Bagus Gde Wesnawa Punia, as well as representatives from the Bali Ministry of Religious Affairs Office and child protection institutions.
In a speech representing the Head of Polri’s Densus 88 AT, Bali Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General I Made Astawa emphasised the importance of strengthening cross-sector collaboration in handling extremism among children. He stated that the issue of extremism must be addressed collectively.
“Although various efforts have been made by ministries and agencies, the existing handling is still somewhat partial and not yet integrated. This becomes a shared challenge to strengthen synergy and cross-sector collaboration, including pushing for the formation of a national task force capable of coordinating handling in an integrated manner, both at the central and regional levels,” said Brigadier General Made Astawa in his statement received on Monday (27/4/2026).
He also affirmed that child protection has evolved into a national strategic issue.
“Child protection today is no longer merely a social issue, but has become a national security issue, because threats to children develop dynamically, are complex, and often invisible to the naked eye,” he continued.
Brigadier General Made Astawa also highlighted the challenges faced by the younger generation in the digital era. The challenge is low digital literacy.
“As digital natives, the younger generation excels in technology, but at the same time, they are also vulnerable to exposure to unfiltered information, echo chamber effects, and low digital literacy,” he revealed.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Population and Family Development Ratu Ayu Isyana Bagoes Oka emphasised that protecting children from extremist influences is part of the national development strategic agenda.
“Protecting children from extremist influences must start from the upstream, namely the family. This is part of the investment in developing Indonesia’s human resources,” said Isyana.
On this occasion, Bali Governor Wayan Koster emphasised the importance of strengthening local wisdom values as a bulwark against ideologies that contradict the nation’s character.
“Local values such as Tri Hita Karana must continue to be strengthened to maintain harmony and build a tolerant character in the younger generation,” said Koster.
Furthermore, Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya affirmed the police’s commitment to a preventive approach based on collaboration. According to him, synergy is needed to address this issue.
“Prevention cannot be done partially, but requires synergy between apparatus, government, schools, families, and society,” said Inspector General Daniel.
In the talkshow session, material from Polri’s Densus 88 AT highlighted that the spread of extremist ideologies currently exploits digital spaces targeting adolescent groups. Early detection approaches are considered key to preventing exposure from the outset.
Bali Provincial Child Protection Commission Chair Ni Luh Gede Yastini emphasised that children exposed to extremism should be viewed as victims requiring special protection.
“The approach used must prioritise the best interests of the child, including in the handling and reintegration process,” she explained.
Meanwhile, the Bali Provincial Education and Youth Office, through Head of the Child Character Building and Student Life Division Anak Agung Bagus Suryawan, highlighted the importance of strengthening character education as the primary instrument for prevention.
“Character education is the main preventive instrument to build students’ mental, moral, and intellectual resilience so they are not easily influenced by radical or terrorist ideologies.”