Indonesian president signs decree to ban ‘radical’ groups

Indonesia has issued a decree banning groups that oppose its official state ideology, in a move seen to target radical Islamists in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country. The law, signed by President Joko Widodo on Monday, comes as concerns grow about the influence of hardliners in Indonesia, where majority of the population practise a […]

Indonesia has issued a decree banning groups that oppose its official state ideology, in a move seen to target radical Islamists in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country.

The law, signed by President Joko Widodo on Monday, comes as concerns grow about the influence of hardliners in Indonesia, where majority of the population practise a moderate form of Islam.

It empowers the government to disband without trial any group that challenges Pancasila, a set of founding national principles which promote pluralism and tolerance.

Pancasila is considered the unifying factor for a country home to significant Christian, Hindu and Buddhist minorities.

Security minister Wiranto, who goes by one name, said on Wednesday the move was taken because some groups were “threatening the nation’s existence and creating conflict in the society”. (The National)