Indon pres vows to stop radicalisation

Indonesia's president has vowed to stop the growth of radicalism as tensions in the largely Islamic country grow.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo

Indonesian President Joko Widodo is determined to "prevent the growth of radicalism". (AAP)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo is determined to "prevent the growth of radicalism", after reports that Islamist extremists are planning protests to destabilise his government.

Officials say there has been mounting alarm in the government since more than 100,000 Muslims, led by hardline Islamists, took to the streets of Jakarta on November 4 to demand the removal of the capital's governor, a Christian, for alleged blasphemy.

National Police Chief Tito Karnavian warned on Monday of a threat to parliament during rallies expected this Friday and on December 2.

"There are hidden methods by certain groups to enter and occupy parliament," Indonesian media quoted him as saying.

"If (these actions) are intended to overthrow the government, that's a violation of the law."

Widodo has blamed "political actors" for fanning violence during the protest, without naming anyone.

The president held talks with a senior coalition partner on Tuesday, the latest in a series of meetings with top political, religious and military officials to signal the unity of his government and support from the security establishment.

"I want to emphasise the spirit of pluralism," he told reporters after the meeting at the presidential palace.

"The government is determined to prevent the growth of radicalism in this country."

Widodo, the leader of his party Megawati Sukarnoputri and opposition leader Prabowo Subianto have all called for calm.

On Tuesday the president tried to assuage concerns among investors in Southeast Asia's largest economy.

The trigger for the tensions was a comment that Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, the first Christian and ethnic Chinese in the job, made about his opponents' use of the Koran in political campaigning.


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Published 23 November 2016 8:00am
Source: AAP


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