Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, Indonesia's president, has instructed police to shoot suspected drug dealers to combat what he considers a narcotics emergency facing the country.

His remarks have drawn comparison to that of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who launched a controversial anti-drug crackdown about a year ago that saw many alleged drug dealers killed in an operation widely condemned by the international community. 

"Be firm, especially to foreign drug dealers who enter the country and resist arrest. Shoot them because we indeed are in a narcotics emergency position now," Widodo said in a speech at an event held by one of Indonesia's political parties on Friday.

Indonesia has tough laws against drugs. Widodo has previously been criticised for ordering executions against convicted drug traffickers who were given a death penalty by the court.