REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian government officially banned the existence of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and its concept in Indonesia. Islamic State concept is incompatible with Pancasila as Indonesia's ideology and the principle of diversity in the country.
"ISIS is not a matter of religion. This is a matter of ideology and incompatible with our ideology, Pancasila, our unity and our diversity," Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security, Djoko Suyanto said recently.
According to him, govenment has taken various steps to prevent ISIS, such as preventing the establishment of ISIS representatives in Indonesia, as well as development of the ideology.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asked Ministry of Religious Affairs in collaboration with religious leaders, communities and experts to make efforts toward enlightenment and public awareness on negative influences to understand the existence of ISIS.
According to president, not all conflicts in the Middle East related to religion issue, including ISIS. Indonesian people have to understand lots of conflicts in Middle East due to internal problems among themselves.
With a majority of Muslim population, government will always responsive in following the development of Middle East.
President explained that three ministers had discussed in a meeting about the impact and implications of development in Middle East, such as Iraq and Syria.