Government to Block ISIS Video Propaganda

Jakarta (Antara) - Indonesian Minister of Communication and Informatics Tifatul Sembiring said here on Monday that he would immediately block access to an Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) video propaganda in YouTube. "We will immediately follow up the results of the limited cabinet meeting on Monday regarding the ISIS video issue," he said. The video footage had carried a call for Indonesians to join the ISIS in its fight against Iraq. Tifatul said one of the results of the cabinet meeting was a decision to ask the Ministry of Communication and Informatics to block access to the ISIS video. Various quarters in the country have so far called on the ministry to immediately block access to the video. However, the ministry has not taken any action due to the absence of complaints from the public or official institutions such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Office of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs; and the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. The video footage carrying a call for Indonesians to join the ISIS had gone viral since July 30. Tifatul said his office was currently in the process of blocking access to the 7.08-minute video uploaded in YouTube. Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Djoko Suyanto said here on Monday the Indonesian government had rejected the ISIS ideology and would prevent it from spreading in the country because it runs against the state ideology of Pancasila and the principle of unity in diversity. In view of that, he said at a press conference after a limited cabinet meeting on the issue the ideology must not be allowed to develop in the country. He said Indonesians must respect their country that respects religious, racial, ethnic, and group differences. He said the government would prevent establishment of a formal representation of ISIS/IS in the country. He called on Indonesians to help prevent the spread of the ISIS ideology in the country. (*) Reported by Hanni Sofia