Indonesia president: Spread wealth, protect diversity

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Indonesia's president has vowed a fairer distribution of the nation's wealth and a renewed commitment to protecting diversity after tense months in which the country's reputation for tolerance was undermined by religious tensions and attacks on minorities.

Joko "Jokowi" Widodo repeated familiar themes in his annual address to parliament that comes a day before celebrations of the 72nd anniversary of Indonesia's independence from Dutch colonial rule.

Jokowi, the first Indonesian president from outside the ranks of the elite or military, said Wednesday that economic development must be spread to all corners of the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation.

He said the government will strengthen its commitment to protecting the idea of "unity in diversity" and "Pancasila," the official state ideology that promotes principles such as social justice and democracy.