Istiqlal bombing condemned

JAKARTA (JP): Political and religious leaders expressed outrage on Tuesday over the bombing of the Istiqlal Grand Mosque the day before, while President B.J. Habibie condemned the brutal act as an attempt to foil the June 7 general election.

The President speculated the blast was aimed at provoking Muslims into acts of violence against followers of other religions, in a bid to create chaos throughout the country.

"I appeal to the whole community, especially Muslims, not to fall into the traps of those who want to thwart the general election," Habibie said at the opening of the Islamic organization Al-Ittihadiyah conference at the State Palace.

He said destruction of any worship places was barbaric, immoral, and could not be tolerated by any religion. He pledged the elections would proceed no matter what happened.

"There is no reason for us to postpone the elections," he said.

Ittihadiyah chairman Ali Imran Kadir said to the President that whoever was responsible for the bombing was insane.

Separately, Jakarta Archbishop Julius Cardinal Darmaatmadja, who lives at the Cathedral Church compound, across the road from the Istiqlal, expressed deep sorrow over the incident.

Indonesian Buddhist Council (Walubi) chairwoman Siti Hartati Murdaya said she was outraged at the irresponsible action and urged the government to thoroughly investigate the incident.

"All religions teach peace and tolerance, (the bombing) must have been done by people who do not have a religion," she said.

The Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) expressed concern and solidarity with Muslims throughout the country.

"We hope the government and security apparatus will take firm action in accordance with the law," PGI deputy secretary-general Weinata Sairin said in a statement.

Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Amien Rais told the government there was a limit to the patience of Indonesian Muslims.

"If we are always asked not to be provoked while uncivilized measures against Muslims continue, I am afraid that Muslims would turn to violence because there is limit to their patience," Amien said after attending the 18th anniversary of Muhammadiyah University in Yogyakarta.

He said most of the fatal victims in various riots across the country were Muslims, while the instigators of the violence remain untouchable.

"The bombing of Istiqlal mosque is the peak, because a mosque is the heart for Muslims, a holy place for them," Amien said.

In Pugeran, Yogyakarta, a group of unidentified people threw a firecracker at a church, but there was no report of any injuries.

Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Abdurrahman Wahid also linked the Istiqlal bombing to a chain of terrorism designed to halt the June 7 elections.

"It is related to riots in Ambon and Sambas," he claimed.

"It was done by floating groups comprising ex-Armed Forces members, but they're not in the structural command," said Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, in a press conference at NU headquarter in Central Jakarta.

Meanwhile, chairman of the General Elections Committee Gen. (ret) Rudini insisted the June 7 poll would go ahead as scheduled even though disturbances from various irresponsible parties will likely continue.

Also condemning the bombing was Minister of Justice Muladi.

"It's a sacrilege ... committed by those who have a very evil intention to cause riots," Muladi told journalists at the House of Representatives.

He urged the security authority to immediately begin a full- scale intelligence operation to track down those responsible.

Chaidir Fadhil, head of the Jakarta chapter of Majelis Dakwah Islamiyah (MDI), said provocateurs, after successfully starting conflict among Muslims and Christians in Maluku, were trying to do the same here.

"We will not let what had happened in Ambon and Sambas spread to here," Chaidir said.

Meanwhile, Misbachnul Anan, secretary-general of the Islamic Defender Front, said the Armed Forces (ABRI) could not "play games" this time.

"Either the Armed Forces catch those bombers and sentence them to death or we ourselves will take strong action," Misbachnul said.

Hundreds of Muslims, arriving from Tangerang, Serang, Bogor and Banten, were seen praying at the mosque, after viewing the shattered windows of the offices on the ground floor.

The Jakarta chapter of the Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) demanded that the government arrest the masterminds of the bombing as soon as possible.

"We call on all Muslims to exercise self restraint, and remain vigilant against any provocation which can destroy the national unity," ICMI acting chairman Said Zainal Abidin said. (aan/ylt/edt/30/44/swa/nur/45/prb)