Central Java Deputy Police Chief Meets Religious Leaders to Explain Seminary Searches
Central Java Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Andi Herindra Rahmawan met several religious leaders to explain searches at an Islamic boarding school in connection with an investigation into the burning and vandalism of the Tepi Sawah Noodle and Pork Restaurant in Parangjoro village, Grogol district, Sukoharjo regency.
“This meeting is an opportunity to communicate and hear people’s concerns. We are not here to ask anyone to endorse police actions or stop them from expressing complaints. The meeting will not determine the outcome of the investigation or any examination under way,” Andi said in an official statement on Saturday (31 October).
Andi met the religious leaders, including Al-Mukmin Islamic Boarding School owner Ustaz Abu Bakar Ba’asyir; Al-Mukmin Ngruki Foundation chairman Ustaz Yahya Abdurrahman, the son of Abu Bakar Ba’asyir; Ustaz Abdurochim Ba’asyir, also known as Ustaz Iim; Al-Mukmin Ngruki Islamic Boarding School head Ustaz Munir; foundation supervisory board chairman Ustaz Taufik Usman; and deputy chairman Ustaz Muyazin.
The meeting came after police searched two Islamic boarding schools in Karanganyar and Sukoharjo on Tuesday (27 October). Andi said he had met the religious leaders to listen to the schools’ concerns and understood that the searches had prompted complaints.
“The investigators from the Central Java Regional Police are taking steps in the case of the destruction and burning of the restaurant in Parangjoro village as part of law enforcement against those suspected of involvement. The case must be handled on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law.”
“At the same time, we understand the complaints about how the searches were carried out and their impact on the students and their families. Any alleged procedural irregularities must be examined objectively and professionally through the authorised channels. I do not want to pre-empt the outcome of the examination or draw conclusions about anything that has not been verified,” Andi added.
Andi said the meeting was intended to clarify matters and establish good communication so that the case could be handled comprehensively. He also invited the boarding school representatives to raise objections if they believed any police action had breached the rules.
“If there are complaints about matters outside the proper procedures, we are committed to taking firm action through the Police Professionalism and Security Division (Propam). We are also ready to maintain good communication with the ulama,” Andi said on Saturday (31 October).
He stressed that the meeting was not intended to ask the boarding school to endorse police actions or to stop it from voicing concerns. Rather, the communication was part of efforts to promote transparency and ensure that every issue could be raised and followed up through the applicable procedures.
The deputy police chief also emphasised that the meeting would not affect the outcome of the ongoing investigation or examinations. The Central Java Regional Police would continue to uphold the presumption of innocence and respect everyone’s rights.
He said that anyone not proven to be connected to the case should not be stigmatised or suffer reputational damage as a result of the law-enforcement process.
The Central Java Regional Police also urged the public not to believe or spread unverified information. It said official updates on the case would be provided on the basis of confirmed facts.
“Anyone not proven to be connected to the case must not be stigmatised or have their reputation harmed. We also call on everyone to maintain calm communication and refrain from spreading unverified information. Official clarification from the police will be provided on the basis of confirmed facts,” Andi said.
“The Central Java Regional Police are committed to respecting everyone’s rights and upholding the presumption of innocence. Anyone not proven to be connected to the case must not be stigmatised or have their reputation harmed. We also call on everyone to maintain calm communication and refrain from spreading unverified information. Official clarification from the police will be provided on the basis of confirmed facts,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abdurrahim Al Basyir, an official at the Al-Mukmin Ngruki Islamic Boarding School, welcomed the deputy police chief’s meeting with the ulama.
“This is a good communication initiative. It is certainly not just because of this incident [the search]; it is simply that the events happened close together. We all want what is best for everyone, but sometimes mistakes happen in the field that no one wants.”
“Earlier, the deputy police chief affirmed that anyone who may have committed a procedural violation would be appropriately punished and disciplined. We want people to live in peace, whatever their religion or circumstances,” Abdurrahim said.
Previously, Central Java Regional Police investigators searched two sites in Sukoharjo and Karanganyar regencies on Tuesday (27 October). The searches were part of the investigation into the burning and vandalism of the Tepi Sawah Noodle and Pork Restaurant, as well as an effort to locate a wanted suspect identified by the initial I, who was believed to be hiding at one of the sites.