Indonesian president calls Jakarta blasts ‘acts of terror’

Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Thursday said multiple blasts that hit Jakarta, killing at least four people, were “acts of terror”.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Thursday said multiple blasts that hit Jakarta, killing at least four people, were “acts of terror”.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (R) shakes hand with Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (L) after a meeting at the presidential palace in Jakarta. (AFP)

In a statement on national TV, Widodo the situation is under control and is calling on people to remain calm.

“The state, nation and people should not be afraid of, and lose to, such terror acts.”

Widodo, who is on a working visit in the West Java town of Cirebon, has ordered security forces to hunt down the perpetrators and their network behind the attacks in Jakarta.

“I have received reports some time ago about the explosion in Thamrin street, Jakarta. We express condolences for those who became victims, but we all also condemn the attack that caused restlessness among the community.”

He says he has ordered the national police chief and the minister for political and security affairs to hunt down and capture the perpetrators and those in their networks.

Jokowi says he was cutting short his visit and retuning to the capital.