Statement of President Joko Widodo on Surabaya Bombings, Sunday, 13 May 2018

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 13 Mei 2018
Category: Speech Transcript
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Unofficial English Translation

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Today we witnessed terrorist attacks perpetrated at three locations in Surabaya. Those acts of terrorism are extremely barbaric and uncivilized, and caused many casualties: civilians, police officers, and innocent children, including two 10-year-old children forced by perpetrators to be suicide bombers.

Terrorism constitutes a crime against humanity and has nothing to do with any religion. All religious teachings reject terrorism regardless of the reason.

No words can describe the depth of our sorrow for the human loss due to these suicide bombings in Surabaya.

This morning, I instructed the Chief of the Indonesian National Police to investigate the perpetrator’s network and dismantle it down to its roots. All state apparatus will not allow such cowardly attacks.

I invite all members of the society to jointly combat terrorism and fight against radicalism -which is contradictory to the values of any religion and is contradictory to our national values ??as a nation that upholds divine principles and respects diversity. I also appeal to all people across the nation to remain calm, maintain our unity, and be vigilant. Only through the joint efforts of the entire nation can we eradicate terrorism. We must unite against terrorism.

And finally, let us say our prayers in memory of the deceased, may they find the most beautiful resting place by the side of Allah SWT and may the bereaved families be granted with the fortitude to bear this great pain. Let us also say our prayers for the wounded victims, may they have a swift recovery. I would like to guarantee that the Government will take charge of all medical expenses incurred by the victims.

I would now like to conclude my statement on this occasion. I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (PR, Cabinet Secretariat)(RI/AW/YM)

 

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