TNI Chief Holds Talks with Islamic Organization's Leader on Radicalism

Jakarta (Antara) - Chief of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) General Moeldoko held a meeting with the leaders of Indonesia's largest Islamic organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, in the TNI Headquarters, Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by NU Chairman Said Aqil Siradj, Muhammadiyah Chairman Din Syamsudin, and some leaders of other Islamic organizations. The TNI general expressed gratitude and felt honored to be able to personally communicate with the leaders of various Islamic organizations. He expressed keenness in getting inputs from the communities, particularly from Islamic organizations' leaders in Indonesia for formulating his future programs. "This is a new paradigm," the Moeldoko noted. Territorial Assistant to the TNI Commander's Major General Ngakan Gede Sughiarta stated that the general and the mass organizations' leaders discussed various problems concerning radical groups existing in the country. "The meeting is to discuss efforts to deal with radical groups including ISIS," he affirmed. The TNI chief and the leaders discussed about implementing preventive measures against radical groups that can threaten the sovereignty and unity of Indonesia, he stated. Last August, Din Syamsuddin, in his capacity as the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) General Chairman, stated that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) movement was more dangerous than the radicals in this country. "If other groups (the radicals) make America an enemy, ISIS makes Muslims their enemies," Din noted, adding that ISIS can destabilize the nation and state. (*)