'Koter' to prevent terrorism

'Koter' to prevent terrorism

From Kompas

Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto
has said that the government plans to reactivate territorial
commands (koter) to enable the TNI's active participation in
eradicating terrorism. As citizens striving for the nation's
peaceful existence, we should support this plan.

Such commands should not be seen with prejudice because in
reality their presence is needed as a means of early prevention
of all forms of terrorism. The nation's hard work to build world
confidence should not just be spoiled by certain groups that are
opposed to the country's advancement.

To this end, we should have a common understanding of the
empowerment of koter, because any negative reaction arising from
the plan is due to a narrow perception of territorial commands,
which is limited to a past image.

There should thus be the common vision that koter's
reactivation is for the sheer purpose of guaranteeing security
through the prevention of any terrorist threat. Polemics that
make us drawn into the past while overlooking tough challenges in
the future should be abandoned.

DIAN S. AMBARUKMI
Depok, West Java