Clerics preaching hatred arrest

Clerics preaching hatred arrest

Jakarta City Police chief Sofjan Jacoeb threatened on Friday
to arrest Muslim clerics who preached hatred aimed at inciting
people to use violence.

"I ask all ulemas not to give sermons that could inflame
emotions because if they do that, we will impose article 160 of
the Criminal Code on them," Sofjan told reporters after
conducting Friday prayers at the National Monument square, right
in front of the U.S. Embassy.

He said the offense carried a penalty of four years
imprisonment as mandated by Article 160 of the Criminal Code
Procedures.

Preachers at many mosques in the capital slammed on Friday the
U.S. military strikes on Afghanistan. Some of them even described
the strikes as attacks against Muslims.

However, there were apparently no arrests made against
preachers on Friday.

Arrests against vocal preachers were often made during the
repressive administration of former president Soeharto.

It is not clear, however, if Sofjan will enforce his threat,
as it could simply worsen the situation.

Sofjan also warned anti-American protesters not to engage in
vandalism. Otherwise, the police would take tough measures
against them.

"Vandalizing facilities and burning flags and effigies will no
longer be tolerated. The offenders are liable to strict
measures," he told reporters -- JP