Heretic cult enrages locals

JAKARTA: Dozens of followers of Lia Eden, previously known as Lia Aminuddin, were evacuated by police on Wednesday from their headquarters on Jl. Mahoni, Central Jakarta, to a safe place after thousands of people surrounded the place.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. I Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said that the followers were evacuated to prevent them from being attacked by the people, who claimed that Lia and her people were followers of heretic teachings.

"We must evacuate them to protect them from thousands of angry residents who have surrounded their base camp since morning. We are afraid that the crowd will become agitated and attack Lia's followers," he told The Jakarta Post.

He said that police had to forcibly evacuate the followers after they insisted on staying.

Lia had just inaugurated her house, naming it Eden Palace. She allegedly claims to be both the mother of Jesus and God's messenger Gabriel. -- JP