"We have also talked about ISIS, and as one of the countries with a Muslim majority population we hope it will remain peaceful and moderate to become a role model of an open society. We believe in the leadership of President Yudhoyono," he stated at a press conference after the meeting.
The senator from the Republican Party remarked that Indonesia can play an important role in preventing the propagation of the ISIS or IS (Islamic State) ideology.
"I have seen it as a threat to the US and a serious problem for other countries as well," he stressed.
John McCain noted that several young men from the US, Europe, and also Indonesia have gone to Syria, and they will later return influenced by a radical ideology.
In view of that, they can pose a threat, and so we need to be alert, he added.
"ISIS fighters have captured large areas in Syria, and it has become a strong terrorist organization and has a lot of military hardware," he stated.
McCain said he believed all countries shared the same viewpoint with regard to the ISIS threat and can contribute to prevent its propagation.
"I believe all countries can do something to respond to the radical movement," he emphasized.
During the meeting, President Yudhoyono was flanked by Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Pati Djalal who was also the former ambassador to the US, coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs, and other officials.
On Monday, the US senators met the leadership of the Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR). The meeting was held behind closed doors and lasted for around an hour.
US Senators John McCain and Sheldon Whitehouse held a meeting with the leadership of Indonesias People Consultative Assembly (MPR) at the parliament building here on Monday.
The MPR leadership attending the meeting included Chairman Sidarto Danusubroto, deputy chairpersons Melani Leimena Suharli, Hajrianto Y. Thohari, Farham Hamid, and Dimyati Natakusumah.
Sidarto noted that after the meeting, they had discussed various issues, including the recent presidential election in the country and the ISIS.
"The US senators have expressed hope for Indonesias bright future," he noted.
They also expressed appreciation for the implementation of the July 9 presidential election, which they had considered successful, he added.
"The US senators had expressed their admiration to the development of democracy in Indonesia as the worlds largest Muslim country," he pointed out.
Sidarto noted that the US senators hoped that the relations between Indonesia and the United States will keep improving, especially in defense, economy, and social fields, among several others.
Regarding the ISIS issue, he noted that the US senators had asked Indonesia to remain vigilant.
"At the meeting, I affirmed that Indonesia had declared ISIS as an illegal movement," he stated.
At the meeting, John McCain was accompanied by his staff members, Christian Brose and Elizabeth OBagy, while Sheldon Whitehouse was accompanied by Lacy Dwyer and also US Ambassador to Indonesia Robert O. Blake.
MPR is one of Indonesias high-state institutions conducting tasks such as inaugurating the new president and vice president.
Reporting by Panca Hari Prabowo
(T.P008/H-YH/INE/a014)
EDITED BY INE
(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
