Defense Minister to Meet Regional Counterparts to Discuss Islamic State Threat
Jakarta. Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Thursday (15/06) that he will meet with his counterparts from four other Southeast Asian nations on June 19 to to discuss the threat of Islamic State in the region.
"I will meet with the defense ministers of Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Brunei in Tarakan [North Kalimantan] to discuss recent developments regarding ISIS. We're conducting this meeting as a precaution, if anything should happen we should be ready," Ryamizard said.
He added that the meeting is a step to prevent ISIS from moving into Indonesia from the Philippines.
Islamic militants have held parts of Marawi City on Mindanao Island for more than three weeks. The area can be reached by boat in five hours from Indonesia's Morotai Island in North Sulawesi province.
North Sulawesi has been on full alert because of its proximity to the conflict area, but Ryamizard said the alert does not apply to Riau province.
"I understand the extent of this ISIS issue. I have acquired information from all over, so there is no need to go on full alert [in Riau]. We can certainly be cautious," he said.
The minister called for greater caution against the spread of ISIS in Indonesia.
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