Radicalism Potential in South Kalimantan Continues to Rise

The 2025 South Kalimantan Provincial Radicalism Potential Index (IPR) has continued to rise, drawing serious government attention. The IPR for South Kalimantan reached 13.2 in 2025, a significant increase from 10.2 in 2022. In 2023, the index stood at 10.8 points, rising to 12.1 in 2024. This figure is notably higher than the national IPR of 10.1. The findings were revealed during a Monday-Thursday Study (Kajian Senin Kamis, KSK) titled ‘Analysing Radicalism Potential Trends in Bumi Lambung Mangkurat’, organised by the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) and South Kalimantan Provincial Coordination Forum for Counter-Terrorism (FKPT). The online event focused on the results of the Radicalism Potential Index survey, including in South Kalimantan. Participants included FKPT provincial officials, representatives from universities, TNI/Polri, Regional National Intelligence Agency (BINDA), Korem 101/Ant, Kalsel Task Force, Densus 88 AT, Ministry of Religion, Ikasba, Regional Unity Agency (Kesbangpol), as well as district/city education departments and high schools across South Kalimantan. BNPT Director of Prevention, Sigit Karyadi warned that social media is the highest channel for spreading extremism, with radical groups using it for propaganda, grooming, and recruitment—particularly targeting young people. ‘Extremism through social media normalises violence, leading to terrorist acts,’ he stressed. Meanwhile, Lilik Purwandi from BNPT’s Review Team explained that the rising IPR in South Kalimantan primarily affects vulnerable groups such as women, Generation Z, urban communities, and internet users—including children—who search and share online content. Prevention efforts include leveraging local wisdom, family education, national awareness, digital literacy, and religious moderation.