Indonesia Rejects Turkey’s Request to Close Schools Allegedly Linked with Terrorist Organization

Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung

The Indonesian Government ensures that it will not fulfill the request made by the Turkish Government to close a number of Turkish schools in Indonesia that are linked with Fethullah Gulen, the alleged mastermind behind the recent failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung asserted that Indonesia is a democratic country that upholds free and active foreign policy and does not want other countries or other sides interfere in Indonesia’s internal affairs.

“Thus, Indonesia’s internal affairs are Indonesia’s responsibilities, including those that are formally regulated by the laws an have received approval from the Indonesian Government. (In addressing internal affairs) it is certainly Indonesian laws that are used. Sovereignty is important for Indonesia,” Pramono said to reporters in Jakarta on Friday (29/7).

Pramono made the statement in response to the release issued by the Turkish Embassy in Jakarta that contains names of schools considered to be linked with Fethullah Gulen.

The Embassy hopes that Indonesia, just like other countries have done, will close the schools.

The Turkish Government highlighted Gulen’s influences in a number of Asian countries including Indonesia and one of the things that is highlighted is the operation of schools that managed by the Pacific Nations Social and Economic Development Association (PAS?AD).

Commenting on the request by the Turkish Government to close the schools, Pramono said that to date, the Indonesian Government has not received any formal requests from the Turkish Government. (FID/RMI/ES) (EP/YM/Naster)