Lesson from Larantuka

Lesson from Larantuka

The Larantuka mob that set ablaze the local district courthouse in East Nusa Tenggara was certainly acting against the law. But things will not end by punishing the suspects, who are supporters of Frans Amanuen, a local priest.

The court sentenced Amanuen to two months' imprisonment and five month's probation for defamation.

According to the court, the priest was proven guilty of having no admissible evidence when accusing East Flores regent Felix Fernandez of malfeasance over the purchase of a multipurpose boat.

In his defense statement before the verdict was made, the priest also accused the regent of submitting false reports on natural disasters in order to get more aid.

Many officials see that criticisms remain as attacks or efforts to topple them from their positions. Therefore, action must be taken to deal with the criticisms.

A priest, or any other religious leader, is not free from mistakes. He could get carried away when addressing his congregation. Priest Amanuen might have expected that a reaction to his statements might appear from his congregation.

What's wrong with all the stories? It is difficult to believe that a religious leader asked his followers to commit violence, and it is obviously unbelievable that the priest wanted to succeed the regent in making his statements.

Unfortunately, the court has failed to catch the essence of criticisms launched by a man who has been living within a religious atmosphere. There are times that the courts favor (government) officials in such disputes.

Larantuka has shown us that our courts are at their lowest ebb these days.

-- Koran Tempo, Jakarta