Off the wire
• Thousands mark in Morocco week since fish vendor's death  • Giant panda twins fly to China from Zoo Atlanta  • 1st LD Writethru: 1 person killed, 2 injured as blast targets district governor van in E. Afghanistan  • U.S. DoD awards missile contract to Raytheon  • China's high-earning consumers to surge by 2030: report  • Canadian stocks sink to 6-week low  • Xinhua Insight: China's coal conundrum: short-term crunch, long-term excess  • Urgent: Roadside bomb strikes district governor in Afghan eastern province, casualties feared  • Indonesian President postpones visit to Australia over security situation in Jakarta  • Interview: CPC key to successful reform, Spanish political observer says  
You are here: 　 Home

1st LD Writethru: Indonesian President postpones visit to Australia over security situation in Jakarta

Xinhua, November 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, commonly referred to as Jokowi, postponed his planned visit to Australia, as a statement issued on Saturday said his existence in the country is "essentially needed" following Friday's violent demonstration in the capital Jakarta.

"The current developing situation requires existence of President Jokowi in Indonesia," said a statement released by Bey Machmudin, head of the presidential palace's press and media section.

The statement said President Widodo had called Australian Premier Malcolm Turnbull earlier in the day regarding the postponement, and conveyed his gratitude over the preparation conducted by Australia to welcome him.

President Widodo had initially planned to leave for Australia on Saturday night.

The president has ordered Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi to reschedule his visit in the near future.

"Bilateral relations between the two nations is in its best condition at present. The two nations always have commitments to further improve the very important state relations," the statement said.

On Friday, 50,000 people marched against Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian accused of insulting Islam.

The rally turned violent as night fell and demonstrators clashed with police.

Police responded with tear gas, water cannon and it took hours for them to end the violence.

President Widodo said the violence was masterminded by "political actors."

"We have learned that political actors are taking advantages of the situation," the president told a press conference after presiding over a cabinet meeting to discuss the situation late on Friday night.

Basuki was asked to apologize for his comments as investigation into the alleged religious blasphemy case against him is underway in national police headquarters.

Demonstrators ransacked stores and encircled Basuki's residence in northern part of Indonesia's capital city late Friday night, shortly after the demonstration ended.

Situation in the capital city has returned to normal as of Saturday.

Australian's Prime Minister Turnbull said on Saturday in a statement that both President Widodo and himself "expressed disappointment that the visit would not go ahead, particularly given the strength of the bilateral relationship and our personal friendship."

The relationship between the two countries hit historic lows during former Prime Minister Tony Abbott's tenure over Australia's harsh border protection policies and the execution of two convicted Australian drug smugglers in Indonesia.

Since Turnbull ousted Abbott in a party room coup in September 2015, Australia and Indonesia have embarked on negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership and enhanced cooperation in other areas of the relationship. Endit