Gus Dur says NU not involved in Tasikmalaya riot

JAKARTA (JP): Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Moslem organization, was not involved in the religious and sectarian violence that killed four in the West Java town of Tasikmalaya last month, its leader said yesterday.

Chairman Abdurrahman Wahid said he has received an account on the violence from the Indonesian Moslem Students Movement (PMII), one of NU's youth wings, which disavowed any involvement in the rioting that took place in the predominately Moslem city.

Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, admitted that there were PMII members who took part in the violence, but said that they were not representing NU or PMII at the time.

Instead, he said, they were mobilized by the Communication Forum for the Moslem Students of Garut. The forum is an umbrella organization for Moslem youths in Garut, near Tasikmalaya, and is not related to NU.

Abdurrahman also rejected suggestions that he knew of "intellectual actors" behind the rioting because of his links to the pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) in the area.

"It's the responsibility of security officers to search for the riot's instigators. The most important thing for NU is that we clarify our non-involvement," he said.

Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung said last week that police have identified several "intellectual actors" behind the Tasikmalaya riot.

When reports broke out last October about riots in the East Java town of Situbondo, which is also known for its many pesantren, Abdurrahman promptly and openly apologized for the involvement of his members in the violence that killed five.

Abdurrahman also disclosed that NU has for the past several weeks become the target of rumors which claim that its members were involved in the brutality against people of another faith in Tasikmalaya. The rumors also allege that Abdurrahman's call for peace and religious solidarity was aimed only at the organization's top layers.

"Those who spread the rumors wanted to create the image that I no longer have the respect of NU at the grassroots level," Abdurrahman said. He pointed his finger at several non- governmental organizations, but did not elaborate on who exactly was responsible.

Abdurrahman said the rumors were cranked out by those unhappy with the fact that NU has not participated in the activities of other groups, and who consider NU to be a spoilsport.

"Our stance is clear: We don't get involved in politics and we do not want any political domination," he said.

He called on his members nationwide to beware of provocation and attempts to disturb national unity. "There are indications that people have tried to make NU the scapegoat for those incidents," he charged.

Separately, West Java police spokesman Lt. Col. Istanto said yesterday that 42 people would soon face trial on charges of arson for their alleged involvement in the Tasikmalaya riot. Istanto was quoted by Antara as saying in Bandung the 42 suspects were among the 51 people arrested for their alleged involvement in the riot. The police initially arrested 123 people.

Four people died after an angry mob went on a rampage through Tasikmalaya in late December, setting fire to shops, buildings and churches. The violence was apparently sparked by a report of police brutality. Four police officers were dishonorably discharged last Friday for beating a Moslem preacher and two of his students.

Also in Bandung, spokesman of the Siliwangi military command Lt. Col. CHB Herman Ibrahim said the Armed Forces has not yet made any formal accusation against anyone as mastermind of the riot.

According to intelligence assistant to the Siliwangi commander Col. Pranghadi Sutopo, before the riot took place, leaders of a number of youth organizations reportedly held various meetings.

However, "there were no evidence that they (the youth leaders) masterminded the riot. We hold on to the principle of presumption of innocence," he said.

"If they were later questioned about the meetings..with those many people (it's because there were reasons) to suspect (them)," he said.

Ibrahim said the Armed Forces is being careful in handling the case. (imn/ahy)