Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (Photo: Reuters) Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia’s President JokoWidodo has said he was determined to prevent the development of radicalismfollowing a report that Islamic extremists were planning protests todestabilise his government.
“The government is determined to prevent the growth of radicalism in thiscountry”, he told media on November 23 after his talks with a senior coalitionpartner at the Presidential Palace. This was one of a series of meetings withtop political, religious and military officials to signal the unity of hisgovernment and the support from the security forces.
According to Indonesian authorities, there had been an alert in the governmentsince more than 100,000 people, led by Islamic extremists, participated in abig protest in Jakarta on November 4 to demand the resignation of Christian governorof Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama who was accused of defaming the Koran.
One person was killed and tens of others, including policemen, were injured inthe demonstration.
National Police Chief Tito Karnavian on November 21 warned of another protest whichwas scheduled to take place on December 2 at the capital’s central area.-VNA
