Politics

Read more: Ambassador Zhang Qiyue: RI should use financing facilities of CAFTA

Jakarta, VOI News - Indonesia pledges to maintain its neutral position as the global power is shifting from a unipolar order led by the US into a multipolar one. Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said Indonesia wanted  zero enemies and dozens of friends, meaning it would be open to possibilities to cooperation in the defense sector with any countries opening their hands to the archipelago.

Read more: RI vows to remain neutral amid global power shift

Jakarta, VOI News - Indonesian human rights activists say they plan to petition the US government during Barack Obama’s visit to transfer terror suspect Hambali from Guantanamo Bay to Indonesia. Center for Indonesian Reform director Sapto Waluyo told Metro TV on Thursday that access to Hambali could help Indonesia gain more information about local and regional terrorism. Riefqi Muna of the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) said the release would support the idea that human rights must be respected in the struggle against extremists.

Read more: Indonesian Human Rights Groups to Request Hambali Transfer

Jakarta, VOI News - US President Barack Obama must be welcomed as a guest during his much-anticipated state visit next week , say moderate Indonesian Islamic groups, including Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah. “The Prophet himself also had diplomatic ties with adherents of other faiths,” said NU chief Hasyim Muzadi on Monday. He said Obama had shown good intentions in efforts to improve ties between the US and Islamic world.  

Read more: Obama is Welcome in Indonesia, Say Leading Muslim Groups

Jakarta, VOI News - US President Barack Obama`s agenda during his visit to Indonesia will be unchanged although the schedule of the visit has been altered, presidential spokesman Dino Pati Djalal said here on Monday. He said President Obama might stay only one or two days in Jakarta from initially three days.

Read more: Obama`s agenda in Jakarta unchanged says presidential spokesman

Muntilan, VOI News - The Religious Affairs Ministry plans to help deradicalize terrorists after they have served time in prison. He may begin the program this year. We’re ready to help detainees develop the right interpretation of Islam,” said Religious Affairs Minister Surya Dharma Ali, when visiting Darussalam Islamic boarding school in Muntilan, Central Java, on Sunday.

Read more: Religious Ministry to help deradicalize terrorists