REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo has instructed the National Police to take a firm action over recent attacks on religious figures. Nevertheless, he admited not yet receive a detailed report to that effect. "But I ask the National Police to take a firm action on the issue," the president said after attending a national dhikr (chants in praise of Allah) and opening the national working meeting of the Hubbul Wathon Dzikir Council at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory in East Jakarta on Wednesday.

The head of state urged the National Police to immediately settle 21 cases of attacks on religious figures in different parts of the country in recent months. "I have ordered the settlement of the issue. Look at it in details to see whether or not it is a reasonable thing or it is an ordinary crime," he said.

It is the responsibility of the National Police to maintain security and public peace and order, particularly to protect ulemas, religious figures and community members, he said.

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"They all must be protected. Don't let such attacks continue," he said.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto said earlier that his side had recorded 21 attacks on religious figures in different parts of the country between December 2017 and February 2018.

He said 15 of the 21 attacks involved abnormal people.

The police must investigate the attacks on religious figures and places of worship, he added. 

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