{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1206717,
        "msgid": "e-timor-religious-forum-told-to-avoid-politics-1447893297",
        "date": "1995-10-31 00:00:00",
        "title": "E. Timor religious forum told to avoid politics",
        "author": null,
        "source": "JP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "E. Timor religious forum told to avoid politics JAKARTA (JP): An East Timorese councilor has called on religious leaders grouped in the newly established forum for inter-religious consultation in the province to stay away from politics. Samuel Alex Petruz, deputy chair of the East Timor provincial legislative council, said in Dili yesterday that the forum, established last week by the government to curb racial and religious tension, should not be \"saddled by political problems\".",
        "content": "<p>E. Timor religious forum told to avoid politics<\/p>\n<p>JAKARTA (JP): An East Timorese councilor has called on<br>\nreligious leaders grouped in the newly established forum for<br>\ninter-religious consultation in the province to stay away from<br>\npolitics.<\/p>\n<p>Samuel Alex Petruz, deputy chair of the East Timor provincial<br>\nlegislative council, said in Dili yesterday that the forum,<br>\nestablished last week by the government to curb racial and<br>\nreligious tension, should not be \"saddled by political problems\".<\/p>\n<p>\"It's not a place for politicking, it's a communication forum<br>\nfor different religious groups meant for solving relevant<br>\nproblems here,\" he told Antara news agency. \"Otherwise, it would<br>\nachieve nothing.\"<\/p>\n<p>Members of the forum consist of representatives of the Roman<br>\nCatholic Church in East Timor, the local chapters of the<br>\nIndonesian Community of (Protestant) Churches, the Indonesian<br>\nUlemas Council, the Indonesian Hindu Council and the Dharma<br>\nBuddha Foundation.<\/p>\n<p>The forum was set up in an effort to restore peace and harmony<br>\nin the province following last month's ethnic riots in which many<br>\npeople were injured. Later on, other riots also flared up, which<br>\nwere apparently triggered by what the authorities described as<br>\nconflicts between gangs.<\/p>\n<p>In a related development, East Timor Governor Abilio Jose<br>\nOsorio Soares lashed out yesterday at groups of East Timorese in<br>\nexile who are campaigning against Indonesia.<\/p>\n<p>Abilio said the groups claim to be representing the East<br>\nTimorese here, while actually they are only fighting for their<br>\nown interests.<\/p>\n<p>\"They have spoken out against Indonesian in various<br>\ninternational forums, but they are actually only seeking material<br>\nprofits for themselves,\" he told Antara.<\/p>\n<p>He said the groups were free to do anything, but should not<br>\ncampaign at the expense of the East Timorese.<\/p>\n<p>\"They misuse the issue of East Timor for their own benefits,\"<br>\nhe said. \"They should be ignored.\"<\/p>\n<p>He called on the local people to be wary of the campaign lest<br>\nit affects the development program in the province.<\/p>\n<p>\"If the province continues to be remain in a chaotic<br>\ncondition, the development program will be damaged,\" he said.<\/p>\n<p>The former Portuguese colony, East Timor, integrated into<br>\nIndonesia in 1976 to become the 27th province. The United Nations<br>\nstill recognizes Lisbon as the administrative power over the<br>\nterritory. (rms)<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/e-timor-religious-forum-told-to-avoid-politics-1447893297",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}