Indonesian President vows to stop development of radicalism

Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (Photo: Reuters)

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo has said he was determined to prevent the development of radicalism following a report that Islamic extremists were planning protests to destabilise his government.

“The government is determined to prevent the growth of radicalism in this country”, he told media on November 23 after his talks with a senior coalition partner at the Presidential Palace. This was one of a series of meetings with top political, religious and military officials to signal the unity of his government and the support from the security forces.

According to Indonesian authorities, there had been an alert in the government since more than 100,000 people, led by Islamic extremists, participated in a big protest in Jakarta on November 4 to demand the resignation of Christian governor of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama who was accused of defaming the Koran.

One person was killed and tens of others, including policemen, were injured in the demonstration.

National Police Chief Tito Karnavian on November 21 warned of another protest which was scheduled to take place on December 2 at the capital’s central area.-VNA