Sukoharjo – People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Taufik Kiemas visited firebrand Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir at the latter's Al-Mukmin Islamic boarding school in Ngruki, Sukoharjo in Central Java on Thursday.

The Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician was accompanied by his four deputies, Melani Leimana from the Democratic Party, Hajriyanto Y. Thohari from the Golkar Party, Ahmad Farhan Hamid from the Regional Representatives Council and Lukman Hakim Saifuddin from the United Development Party (PPP).

"We came here to meet and hold discussions following a working visit to Yogyakarta," Taufik was quoted as saying by Antara news agency.

Farhan added that Ba'asyir was a respected and influential figure at the boarding school, so a dialogue about governance was important.

He said the aim of the meeting was to find mutually acceptable approaches to improving the nation. He added, however, that there were differences between the two parties.

Lukman said Ba'asyir told the delegates he objected to violence and bombings. Ba'asyir has stood trial twice for alleged involvement in the Bali bombings.

"Ba'asyir denied that Ngruki is a hotbed for terrorism," Lukman said.