Social Minister Dialogues with Former Terrorist Inmates on Rehabilitation and Empowerment

Social Minister (Mensos) Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) held a dialogue with former terrorist and radical inmates (eks napiter) at the Auditorium of UIN Datokarama Palu, Central Sulawesi, today. This event is a follow-up to the signing of an MoU on cooperation in handling vulnerable groups, particularly eks napiter, signed by Gus Ipul and UIN Datokarama Palu Rector Lukman S. Thahir. A total of 67 eks napiter attended in person, representing 105 individuals from two foundations focused on deradicalisation, namely the Lingkar Persaudaraan Nusantara Poso Social Welfare Institution (LKS) and the Pelita Ummat Palu Social Welfare Institution (LKS). “On this occasion, I actually want to listen more from all of you, because you have been through a long process, not only with Mr Lukman (UIN Palu Rector), but possibly also with other institutions related to deradicalisation tasks,” said Gus Ipul in a written statement on Monday (20/4/2026). In his remarks, Gus Ipul conveyed that the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) focuses its services on social protection and security, social rehabilitation, and social empowerment. “Social protection and security relate to fulfilling basic needs, while social rehabilitation is an effort to restore psychological, social, and physical aspects so that social functions can be fully restored, and finally carrying out social empowerment,” explained Gus Ipul. Furthermore, Gus Ipul explained that these services will be provided according to the needs of each beneficiary. Therefore, it is important to start with assessments to identify needs and problems faced. “Then we will do it together with the foundations, what the members need, that’s what the assessment means, what they need, what they want, whether they want skills in a certain field or need business capital, strengthening in business fields,” stated Gus Ipul. The dialogue and discussion process was interactive. The beneficiaries took turns expressing their views, met with straightforward responses from Gus Ipul. One participant who expressed his view was Akbar. He conveyed appreciation to Social Minister Gus Ipul for coming directly to Palu for the dialogue. “Among the many institutions that have visited us, this might be the only ministry that truly comes directly along with its leaders, and that is an honour for us,” said Akbar. Akbar shared that there are many challenges for eks napiter to return to society. Therefore, government support is very much needed so that eks napiter can function socially again. “So basically, I hope our interaction does not stop today, I hope it will continue and we can help each other, support each other, and maintain each other,” said Akbar. For information, those present at the dialogue included UIN Datokarama Palu Rector Lukman S. Thahir, Director General of Social Rehabilitation at Kemensos Supomo, Special Staff to the Social Minister for Empowerment and Handling of the Poor Ishaq Zubaedi Raqib, and other related officials.