REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, ANKARA -- The Indonesian government will continue to make all-out efforts to repatriate its citizens who are still living in the conflict-torn regions of Syria, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi stated.

The Indonesian foreign minister and Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Suhardi Alius explained the matter to journalists here on Wednesday after a bilateral meeting with the Turkish government on cooperation in the handling of terrorism.

"We are now coordinating from time to time with the BNPT, the anti-terror squad Densus (88), and our embassies, involving not only one embassy," the foreign minister remarked.

She cited as an example the repatriation of 12 Indonesian citizens from Syria's conflict-hit area. It was carried out in coordination with not only them but also several other parties.

"We involved the Indonesian embassies in the surrounding countries. Since we are going to evacuate them, we have to seek the safest and fastest way out. This process is not easy," she remarked.

Hence, coordination is being continued until now.

"Hence, the BNPT head and I have communicated (several times), which is more than taking medicines thrice a day. We coordinated on the handling of several evacuation cases and prevention of radicalization," she explained.

BNPT Chief Alius added that Indonesia should have a plan in place with regard to the repatriation of Indonesian citizens from Syria.

"We need to have a plan when they return to Indonesia. We have to study whether they are part of the FTF (foreign terrorist fighters). Of course, a special approach is needed. If they and their family members are part of the FTF who follow a strong ideology, we have to put them through a deradicalization program," Alius said.

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