PRESIDENT JOKOWI UNDERLINES HARMONY OF ISLAM-DEMOCRACY

Beijing, 17  Muharram 1436/10 November 2014 (MINA) –President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) underlined the harmony of Islam and democracy in a bilateral meeting with US President Barack Obama on sidelines of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Beijing, Monday.

“Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world. Indonesia has carried out presidential election well. It showed that Islam and democracy are going well,” the president said.

Related to the issue of extremism and radicalism, Jokowi said Indonesia would continue to reduce and even eliminate extremism and radicalism through cultural and religious approaches, Antaranews quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

On the occasion, the President, accompanied by Foreign MinisterRetno LP Marsudi, Sofyan Djalil (Minister for Economy), Rahmat Gobel (Trade Minister) and Andi Widjajanto (Cabinet Secretary) also underlined the need of both countries to enhance cooperation, especially in the field of security in order to realize better security and stability.

Meanwhile, Obama appreciated Indonesia’s leadership in the region, including maritime security, as well as upholding democracy and pluralism.

“Thank you to Indonesia that has upheld democracy and pluralism,” said Obama.

In the beginning, Obama congratulated on Jokowi of his election. Obama said that he spent his childhood in Indonesia.

The meeting was the first bilateral meeting between Obama and Jokowi on sidelines of the APEC summit, in Beijing.(L/P009/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)