Angry mob forces closure of church in Bandung
Angry mob forces closure of church in Bandung
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A church minister called on the authorities to seek a quick and
peaceful solution to the closure by force of a Christian HKBP
church in Bandung, capital of the predominantly Muslim West Java,
saying the anarchic act could trigger sectarian conflict in the
immediate future.
Church minister Revered Oloan Nainggolan told The Jakarta Post
by telephone on Thursday that the city mayor, legislative
council, the police and the military have already been informed
about the terror but so far no actions have been taken to solve
the problem.
"We are astounded that the authorities are fearful of taking
actions against this anarchic act. We have no objections to the
church's closure if we have violated the law or the church's
establishment is against the law," he said.
Oloan said more than 100 Muslim people terrorized church-goers
inside the church on Wednesday, forcing them to leave the
premises and ordering them to close it permanently.
"The mob was led by Wildan Anas who introduced himself as
chairman of the Mosque Security Council (FSDKM). The angry mob
pelted the church building with stones and, then, entered the
church and stood on the holy altar shouting provocatively.
"The most ironic thing is that a number of police were present
at the site but did nothing to prevent the mob from entering the
place of worship," said Oloan.
Oloan explained that the terror followed the Nov. 6, 2002,
deadline set by (FSDKM) for a permanent closure of the church.
FSDKM has long objected to the presence of the church which it
claims has no permit from the city authorities.
Oloan said the church was constructed in 1990 with a permit
from the relevant authorities in the city and with support from
13 people representing social groups in the area.
"Now, let the authorities solve the problem and we will comply
with any decision made by the government in accordance with the
law," he said, adding that the church has been handed over to
First Insp. Dachi, chief of the Baleendah Police Station.
A non-governmental organization Solidaritas Nusa Bangsa
condemned FSDKM, saying security authorities should take actions
against the angry mob because freedom of religion was guaranteed
by the Constitution and the law.
Asmin Fransiska, spokesman for the NGO, said the terror was
committed by a certain group of people in the name of religion in
an apparent attempt to provoke sectarian conflict, an action that
could threaten religious tolerance.
He added FSDKM had launched similar actions in six other
Christian churches in the city.