Attack on Doulos complex condemned

JAKARTA (JP): Government officials, legislators and religious leaders on Thursday condemned the violent burning and attack on the Christian-run Doulos complex in Cipayung, East Jakarta, but asked people to calm down and not to be easily provoked by the appalling incident.

They also asked police to investigate the violent action by the mobs thoroughly and to arrest anyone involved in the case.

House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung implored the public to restrain themselves and suggested that people not link Wednesday's arson attack to any religious groups.

"We all know that all religions forbid hostility toward others. There are no teachings for us to hate each other," Akbar told reporters at the House.

He, therefore, urged followers of all religions to respect others and not to suspect them.

The burning, he said, could have been committed by parties who wanted to disrupt people's peaceful lives and to play one religion against another.

Deputy Speaker of the House A.M. Fatwa shared Akbar's thoughts.

"It will really hurt if the attack is labeled as a religious action, as all religions have explicitly barred (their congregations) from doing such things," Fatwa said.

He suspected a third party, on purpose, carried out the violent attack in a bid to elicit victims and supporters to enact revenge.

At about 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a group of people attacked and torched the buildings of a school and drug rehabilitation center of the Doulos complex, run by a Christian humanitarian organization.

All the buildings in the complex were totally razed, leaving at least one man killed and dozens suffering from wounds inflicted by sharp weapons.

Police and fire fighters were blamed for being unable to immediately stop the brutal action and the fire.

Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security, Gen. Wiranto, strongly hoped the police could solve the matter immediately.

Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Maj. Gen. Sudrajat said people should not respect the perpetrators and should uphold the law in order to bring the culprits to justice.

Sudrajat urged the police to solve the case immediately, otherwise it could trigger more religious clashes across the country.

"If more riots occur, the image of our country will be flushed down the drain and we should not let that happen," he added.

Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi Soedirdja, who visited the complex on Thursday, called on people from all religions to restrain themselves from issues that could spark wider inter- religious conflicts.

"All religious teachings disallow torturing other people," the former Jakarta governor said.

Surjadi also asked the people to unite at this time of hardship, instead of creating new problems.

Human rights activist Albert Hasibuan said the burning of the complex was an act of street justice which violated human rights.

He suggested that the police move swiftly to solve the case.

"Maybe this is an effort to divert existing big issues, such as (the killings in) Aceh," Albert said.

Legislator Sabam Sirait asked the Doulos survivors to remain levelheaded in order not to inflame the situation.

"I know your pain, my brothers and sisters. But I'm begging you not to react using religious sentiments because it would only make things worse," the representative from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said.

An executive of the Bishops Council of Indonesia (KWI), Ismartono, simply said: "We are not happy with the incident. It is very sad to see this happen. There should be a thorough investigation into it.

Deputy general of the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI), Weinata Sairin, said the attack had deeply shocked him.

"Such vigilant action is not helpful in the current situation," he said.

A statement from the Indonesian Committee for World Muslim Solidarity (KISDI) stated last night that the organization regretted the incident but "understood and did not condemn the violent action conducted by our brothers who lost control" because they had been for years provoked by provocateurs who used Christianity to further their own ends.

According to the statement, signed by its spokesman, the Doulos complex had also been used to baptize and Christianize patients treated at the drug addiction and mental rehabilitation centers.

"The foundation has been causing controversy among local residents for years," it said. (bsr/04/05)