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.