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I can deploy Kopassus reserve units: Jokowi
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (center) poses with military personnel during a visit to a large-scale exercise conducted by the Indonesian Navy in the Java Sea on Wednesday. Jokowi said on Thursday that he could deploy the Army's Special Forces' (Kopassus) reserve units in an emergency. (Courtesy of/Presidential Press Bureau)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said on Thursday that he could deploy the Army’s Special Forces’ (Kopassus) reserve units in an emergency.
“Here, there are Sandi Yudha, Satuan Komado and Gultor [Kopassus units]. These are reserves forces that I could deploy in an emergency,” Jokowi said after giving a speech on National Heroes Day at Kopassus headquarters in Cijantung, East Jakarta.
“Through the TNI [Indonesia Military] chief [the forces] could be deployed,” the President said as reported by kompas.com.
Jokowi is facing pressure from Islamic groups to press ahead with legal action against incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama over blasphemy allegations.
(Read also: Political actors take advantage of situation: Jokowi)
Thousands of people a staged a rally in front of State Palace on Friday to protest Ahok, a Christian of Chinese descent. The rally ended in violence, with two police cars set on fire.
Jokowi cancelled his visit to Australia this week to attend to domestic matters.
However, Jokowi denied his visit to Kopassus headquarters had anything to do with the current state of the country, stating that he paid a visit to commemorate National Heroes Day.
“No [it’s not an emergency]. Today is National Heroes Day, isn’t it? As I told you, ‘if’ [there is an emergency],” he added. (jun)
