So, we just wait, because it is not clear yet."Ulan Bator (ANTARA News) - Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla (JK) has expressed concern over a coup attempt in Turkey and hoped that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan would deal with the problem.
"I express concern over what has happened in Turkey," Kalla said on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) here Saturday.
The vice president called Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey Wardana as well as former Turkish ambassador Zakaria for information on the latest developments in Turkey.
It was not clear whether the coup was conducted by a group of soldiers and who the sponsor was, Zakaria, currently a staff member of Erdogan, told Kalla.
"So, we just wait, because it is not clear yet. For sure, I have already sent my regards to President Erdogan. I expressed my concern," Kalla, who claimed that he is a good friend of Erdogan, said.
He called on Indonesian nationals in Turkey to remain calm and stay indoors.
Some three thousand Indonesian nationals, mostly students, are currently in Turkey.
An attempted coup appeared to crumble Saturday after crowds answered President Erdogans call to take to the streets to support him, and dozens of rebel soldiers abandoned their tanks in the main city of Istanbul, Reuters reported.
At least 60 people were killed in violence that erupted Friday after a faction of the armed forces attempted to seize power, officials said.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian government has asked its nationals in Turkey to stay in touch with the embassy in Ankara and the consulate general in Istanbul, a press release from the Ministry of Communication and Informatics stated Saturday.
Indonesian citizens who plan to travel to Turkey, especially to Ankara and Istanbul in the near future, have also been asked to monitor the security situation in advance before departure.
(T.J004/Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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