President Won't Tolerate Violent Acts During Ramadhan

Jakarta, July 22 (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said he would not tolerate violent acts by any public elements during the 2013 Ramadan holy month. "The position of the state and mine is perfectly clear that we will not tolerate whoever commits acts of violence, vandalism, vigilante, and all things that go against the existing rules and regulations in this country," the President said after attending a fast-breaking gathering at the Jakarta International Expo on Sunday night. On the occasion the president said he had ordered the police officers to be more professional in preventing the occurrence of violence and unrest during the fasting month. The head of state said National Police Chief Gen Timur Pradopo and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto had reported to him about a riot between the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) members and the people in Central Java recently. But the riot at the time was brought under control, and therefore the president appreciated the police effort to prevent the riot from widening. "What the police had done at the time to control the riot was right and correct. I also instructed the police officers and law enforcers to prevent such an incident from recurrence," Yudhoyono said. He noted that horizontal conflicts among any public elements, including from the FPI members should be prevented. Therefore the president called on all parties to respect the fasting month and avoid any violent acts in the name of religion that could tarnish the holy month of Ramadan.