REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KUALA LUMPUR -- Jakarta (ANTARA News) – The Minister of Foreign Affirs, Marty Natalegawa, said Indonesian’s diversity was a national asset rather than a problem. Speaking at a conference "Moderate Global Movement" in Kuala Lumpur recently, the minister said Indonesia managed to preserve national unity and cohesion. 

"Indonesia is the most pluralistic country in the world. It is home to more than 300 ethnic groups and has the largest Muslim population in the world. Yet we never see it as a problem but an asset, national character," he said in a press statement issued on Wednesday.

In addition, Indonesia also succeeded in making transformation from an authoritarian to democratic government. "Indonesia appreciates the existing diversity so long as it is related to the transformation process," he said.

Marty admitted Indonesia was also facing separatist threat, ethnic tension and religious conflict. Even during the turbulence period in the wake of the 1998 crisis, some observers had predicted that Indonesia would fail.

"But our community remained committed to preserving unity and cohesion. We made various new approaches, including government reforms so we could pass through whatever challenge," he said.

Moderate Global Movement was initiated by Malaysia to ward off Islamofobia. It was also designed to bridge wider relations between the Muslim world and the West. Around 350 participants from 70 countries attend this event. Indonesia sends its representative from Barmusi, Muhammadiyah, Nahdatul Ulama, and some legislators.

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