The vice president is not averse to the idea. He welcomes it. That is something usual, provided it will do good for the nation and state
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin approved enthusiastically the idea of a meeting with Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Habib Rizieq Shihab, according to vice presidential spokesman Masduki Baidlowi.

"The vice president is not averse to the idea. He welcomes it. That is something usual, provided it will do good for the nation and state," the spokesman noted in a press statement released on Friday.

Baidlowi revealed that an Islamic mass organization had offered to organize such a meeting.

"A mass organization has met (him). However, I cannot tell more than that," he stated.

The vice presidential spokesman affirmed that political perception of the meeting will not be avoided if the meeting is held, though emphasizing that it should not become a polemic if it brings good to the state.

"As an ulema and number two person in Indonesia, the vice president pays full attention to how to settle uproar in the community. He needs to act as a go-between. Do not let it cause anything undesired in future," he remarked.

The polemic over the FPI leader will not end immediately without any dialog among ulemas, he affirmed.

"The issue of Rizieq Shihab will not end here. There must be a dialog. Once again, this is just an idea of the public seeking the vice president’s response to it. The political perception cannot be avoided," he stated.

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Translator: Fransiska Ninditya/Suharto
Editor: Sri Haryati
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