Jokowi urges calm as Indonesia braces for new protests

Jakarta

INDONESIAN President Joko Widodo called for calm on Thursday amid simmering religious tension as helicopters dropped police leaflets over the capital, warning residents of the risk of harsh penalties if new rallies led by Islamists turn violent.

The Indonesian leader, popularly known as Jokowi, sought this week to reassure investors and show his political coalition is united after over 100,000 Muslims, led by hardline groups, took to the streets on Nov 4 to call for the ouster of Jakarta's Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, accused of insulting the Koran.