Political situation in Indonesia

Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo with his wife Iriana Widodo. Mark Schiefelbein / AP

Political situation in Indonesia  

The president: "I spy on the opposition" 

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has once again said that he is spying on the opposition parties ahead of the upcoming election, according to the South China Morning Post. 

- I know what the parties look like on the inside. I know what kind of parties they are. I know the direction they want to go. The information I have received is complete, he said during a speech this weekend.  

Widodo, who is in his final term as president, has been praised for his major infrastructure investments and has been able to show relatively good economic growth for Indonesia, but has also been criticized for his handling of political opponents, religious minorities and dissidents.  

In June this year, he was accused of using his influence to block opposition candidates from running in the next presidential election, which will be held in February next year.  

Yudo Margono inspects the troops during a ceremony on September 19. Andaru Kz / AP  

Admiral wanted to "strangle" activists - apologize  

Admiral Yudo Margono, a senior commander in the Indonesian military, today apologized for a statement made in an interview with local media yesterday. 

At the time, Margono said he would "strangle" the protesters protesting a controversial construction project on Rempang Island. 

- I apologize. Again, I apologize,” Margono told The Jakarta Post. 

The statements come after a long period of criticism against the government's construction plans on the island, which activists believe threaten both natural values and housing. New protests with thousands of participants are planned for later today.  

The new construction is part of President Joko Widodo's giant investment in infrastructure.  

Ate pork on Tiktok - sentenced to prison  

Two years in prison and over $16,000 in fines. It will be the punishment for 33-year-old Indonesian Lina Lutfiawatai, who in March of this year posted a video on Tiktok in which she said a Muslim prayer before cutting into a piece of pork. 

- When I was punished, I actually realized that the action was wrong, but I did not expect that the punishment would be two years, says Lina Lutfiawati to the local TV channel Metro News.  

The verdict is criticized by Amnesty International, which believes that Indonesia is misusing its blasphemy laws to silence minorities and dissidents.  

- It contradicts Indonesia's international commitments to respect and protect freedom of opinion and religion as well as freedom of speech, Usman Hamid, head of Amnesty International in Indonesia, told Reuters.