Jokowi Meets Christian Leaders, Discusses Growing Intolerance

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo yesterday met with representatives of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) and the Bishops' Conference of Indonesia (KWI) to ask for suggestions on diversity and tolerance in Indonesia.

“Mr. President asked for input from the KWI and PGI, on our concerns. We are concerned about multiculturalism, the role of education, mental revolution,” the State Secretariat Minister Pratikno said.

He underlined that they did not discuss a specific issue during the meeting.

On radical mass organizations, Pratikno said that the President will take actions in accordance with the prevailing laws.

“The president said that prosecution must be in accordance with the applicable laws. The President abides by the law,” Pratikno said.

The PGI in its website said that some issues were discussed in the meeting, such as growing radicalism and intolerance.

“Growing intolerance and unjustified demands are the implications of a long process that has gone unnoticed. The phenomenon that occurred in November and December was caused by the government’s neglect, particularly in terms of economic equality,” Jokowi said, as quoted from the PGI website.

“We are now witnessing radical movements ran by organizations that have been used to further political agenda. Therefore, we ask the PGI leaderships to tell its followers that the government is trying to take control of the situation. Unruly organizations will be prosecuted.” Jokowi said.

According to the President, he has taken measures and had planned to do more to address the issue. “The notion that the government was afraid or has done nothing is wrong. Legal proceedings have begun. When our existence as a nation is threatened, it became a serious problem that must be addressed. We will wait for the right time.”

ANTARA | PGI