VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo at the State Palace, Jakarta on Wednesday (12/2) mentioned that a number of intolerance cases in some regions in Indonesia  must be resolved by the local governments. However, until now the local governments are assumed to be unable to overcome the intolerance problems. Therefore, the President has instructed Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security. Mahfud MD and the Head of  Indonesian  Police,  General Idham Azis, to immediately deal with the problems that occur both in Tanjung Balai Karimun and in North Minahasa.

 "I also just now ordered  Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Indonesian Police Chief, to guarantee the implementation of freedom of worship and to take firm action against groups or communities that intervene with their worships  based on  the constitutional guarantee I  stated. Do not let the intolerance exist. But the regional governments must be able to resolve the case, but I see  thereis no responce in the regions, so I ordered the Menkopolhukam, the Indonesian Police Chief that the cases  must be resolved, both related to the church in Karimun, in Tanjung Balai, and the mosque in North Minahasa, must be completed, because it becomes a bad precedent, which later can spread to other regions," President Joko Widodo said. 

Moreover, President Joko Widodo  emphasized that the constitution has guaranteed freedom for people to believe their  religions and beliefs. He said the constitution provides a legal umbrella for people to worship based on their religions and beliefs. (Ndy)