Istiqlal bombing condemned

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)