Indonesia’s Stability Becomes a Reference: President Jokowi

President Jokowi and President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani witness the signing of MoU by Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi and Afghan Minister of Economy Abdul Sattar Murad, at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (5/4) (Photo: Rahmat/PR)

Recently, a number of world leaders came to visit Indonesia, such as King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, the President of France François Hollande, and the President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani. President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo thought they came because Indonesia has good stability.

“I think other countries observe us. Our political and economic stabilities, as well as Indonesia’s leadership in the region become a reference for those leaders,” the President said responding to the journalists’ questions after receiving President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (5/4).

The President explained that a number of countries appreciate the diversity and good stability in Indonesia. The President of Afghanistan praised Indonesia’s unity and diversity although it has 17,000 islands.

“You heard it, how President Ashraf Ghani praised Indonesia because although it has 17,000 islands, 714 ethnicities, and more than 1,100 local languages, Indonesia can well maintain its unity and diversity,” the President said.

Second, as a country with the largest muslim population in the world, Islamic values and democracy in Indonesia are not contradictory. “Other countries praise us for our tolerance and plurality,” the President said.

Therefore, Indonesia often asked to help reconciliation as well as peace building process as has been requested by President Ashraf Ghani to send Indonesian delegation to Afghanistan. (FID/RAH/ES)(MMB/YM/Naster)