A strong Islamic figure in government is what Indonesia needs to help unite the people, amid a rising tide of religious conservatism and radicalism, said prominent Muslim scholar Ma’ruf Amin, who is the running mate of President Joko Widodo in next year’s election. Dr Ma’ruf, in an interview yesterday, said he agreed to be President Joko’s running mate to help promote tolerance and religious diversity. He was in Singapore to deliver a lecture on the Islamic principle of “Wasatiyyah”, or moderation, organised by RSIS.