Roundup: Indonesian president assures security remains under control after string of religious violence

Indonesian President Joko Widodo confirmed that national security remained under full control after string of religious-related violence that took civilian lives this month.

The confirmation came out after the president's serial visits to leaders of prominent Muslim groups, police's special unit and elite units in the military in the last two weeks, aimed at assuring to get pledges of support and readiness of those key elements in guaranteeing the stability of the country.

Anxieties emerged among minorities in the country that mostly inhabited by Muslims after the massive demonstrations staged by Muslim hardliners and an explosion in a church perpetrated by a former terror convict in East Kalimantan province.

The two events have claimed two lives and injured dozens others. The explosion in the church on Sunday killed a 2-year-old toddler who had just prayed in the church along with her parents. Three other toddlers suffered from burn injuries from the explosion.

Speaking on the sidelines of his visit to the Army's Strategic Command headquarters in Cilodong, West Java on Wednesday, President Widodo said that his recent serial visits to leaders of religious organizations, police and the military was intended to comfort the public who were anxious after the occurrence of religious-related violence events.

"Their readiness was intended to comfort the public. Once the public knows that everything is ready and standby, they would be eased down," the president said.

The assurance from police, military and Muslim organizations to control their followers would significantly help government and the public in anticipating possible disturbances following the religious-related violence.

The moves conducted by the president were praised by analysts, saying that it was a correct to respond the developing situation in the country.

"The president's intensive communications with key organizations in the society and having the assurance that police and the military are in the same spirit and vision would ease down the developing tension in the country," an analyst from Islamic University of Syaruf Hidayatullah, Gun Gun Heryanto said on Wednesday.

Another analyst from psychology department at University of Indonesia (UI), Hamdi Muluk said that government has learned from impact of the massive demonstrations, taking more effective approach by involving public organizations as part of solution to settle problems faced by the nation.

Indonesian police have recently imposed suspect status against Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, who made blasphemous comments against the Koran in September that eventually triggered massive demonstrations staged by hundreds of Muslim hardliners in the capital since last month.

The incumbent Jakarta governor Basuki, who is a Christian, is scheduled to run in gubernatorial election in February next year. Should the trial against him found he is guilty in the religious blasphemy case, he may face up to five years imprisonment. Endit