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Indonesia must prevail in managing diversity: Jokowi
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Show of strength: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (center) raises a clenched fist along with (from left to right) Army chief of staff Gen. Mulyono, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, Army Special Forces (Kopassus) chief Maj. Gen. Madsuni and State Secretary Pratikno during a visit to the Kopassus headquarters in Cijantung, Jakarta, on Thursday. Jokowi has instructed law enforcement personnel to uphold national unity, respect diversity and protect all regardless of race, ethnicity and religion. (Presidential Office/Rusman)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said on Friday that the multi-ethnic and multi-religious Indonesian society should keep up its efforts to manage diversity and maintain its position as a model for other nations.
Speaking before the police's Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel on Friday, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo emphasized that Indonesia was a home for people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. Thus, he called on Brimob personnel to treat and protect all citizens in a fair manner, regardless of their backgrounds.
"I appreciate all Brimob personnel deployed across the country, serving all people regardless of their ethnicities, religions and groups," Jokowi said at Brimob headquarters in Depok, West Java.
In a firm voice, the President delivered his points on the nature of Indonesia as a country that respects diverse backgrounds.
"We will move backward if our energy is wasted on arguing about religion and ethnic groups," he said.
"Many countries have expressed appreciation for our diversity. And we want to be the best example of a country that has successfully managed diversity.”
Since earlier this week, Jokowi visited a number of law enforcement institutions, in a move seen as an effort to ease tensions as well as threats against his government following a large-scale rally on Nov. 4 in front of the State Palace that turned violent.
Jokowi, unlike his predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, is a civilian with no military background.
As a follow-up to the Nov. 4 rally, Islamic groups have pledged to stage another rally on Nov. 25 to put pressure on the Jakarta Police to expedite their probe into allegations of blasphemy lodged against incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama. (hwa)
