(AP photo)Indonesian police have arrested dozens of militants linked to Islamic State, who authorities said were plotting attacks next week on political rallies outside the nation’s election commission office during the announcement of the official result of the presidential vote. The militants were planning to attack political workers on Wednesday as they considered democracy as forbidden by Islam, he said. Nine militants were active members of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah, which pledges allegiance to Islamic State, and had trained in Syria, he said. The bombings prompted Jokowi to push parliament to pass an anti-terror law giving authorities tougher powers to combat a surge in extremist violence, including by those returning Islamic State militants. Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto has ordered military and police commanders to take steps to prevent entry of people from outside Jakarta for protests on Wednesday.

Source: Bangkok Post May 17, 2019 11:03 UTC