Indonesia Rejects Propagation of ISIS Ideology

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesia has rejected the propagation of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syrias (ISISs) ideology in the country because it runs contrary to "Pancasila," chief security minister Djoko Suyanto said here on Monday.

"The government and the state condemn and will not allow the ideology of ISIS, which has now turned into IS (Islamic State), to develop in Indonesia because it runs in opposition to the state ideology of Pancasila and the principle of unity in diversity under the Unitary State of Indonesia (NKRI)," he stated at a press conference following a limited cabinet meeting.

He noted that any effort to develop the ideology must be prevented, and Indonesia must not be allowed to become the location for ISIS development.

The minister stressed that every Indonesian, meanwhile, must respect their country and their fellow citizens with different ethnic, religious, racial, and group backgrounds and the principle of unity in diversity.

He said one of the actions to be taken by the government was to prevent the establishment of a formal representation of ISIS/IS in the country.

He expressed hope that all components of the community would prevent the propagation of the ISIS/IS ideology in Indonesia.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs, along with religious figures, will conduct an enlightenment program for the public with regard to preventing the propagation of this ideology, he announced.

"The minister of religious affairs will immediately meet with community and religious figures (with regard to the plan)," he stated.

The Ministry of Communications and Informatics, meanwhile, has said it will block access to the ISIS/IS video on social media sites such as YouTube.

The foreign affairs ministry as the leading sector, meanwhile, along with the police, the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), and the National Agency for Terrorism Prevention (BNPT), will act as "a clearing house" for citizens wishing to go to conflict regions in the Middle East and South Asia, he noted.

"Let us not be easily provoked and influenced to embrace the ISIS/IS ideology," Djoko Suyanto appealed to the people.

The minister suggested it would be more useful if the Indonesian people, who are mostly Muslims, expressed their support in the form of humanitarian aid to victims of the conflicts in the Middle East.

He added that the government had already adopted various measures through diplomatic channels such as the UN with regard to the conflicts and hoped it could build solidarity with other countries to call for a peaceful settlement of problems in the conflict regions in the Middle East. (WDY)