Military to be tough on religious provocateurs
Military to be tough on religious provocateurs
JAKARTA (JP): City military commander Maj. Gen. Ryamizard
Ryacudu vowed on Tuesday to take stern measures against any
parties attempting to create Ambon-style religious conflict in
the capital.
"The military command won't allow any provocateurs to bring
the religious conflict in Ambon to Jakarta.
"We will crush anyone who attempts to do so," the newly
appointed Jakarta military commander told journalists on the
sidelines of breaking-of-the-fast gathering at his office on
Tuesday evening.
Ryamizard was commenting on the possible involvement of
provocateurs in the arson attack on a Christian-owned complex
housing a school of theology and drug rehabilitation and
psychiatric centers in Cipayung, East Jakarta, last week.
One student died and more than a dozen people were injured in
the attack.
Ryamizard confirmed that religious conflict was one aspect of
the attack.
"The conflict initially began because locals were annoyed at
the existence of the Doulos foundation complex in the middle of
their residential area," he said.
The locals, he said, became more upset after they found that
the establishment had no appropriate license from the
administration to run such activities.
Ryamizard said the people believed the activities of
foundation created dislike among locals.
He, however, condemned the attack, saying that whatever
grounds the attackers had could not justify such a violent move.
The two-star general pledged that a repeat of the attack would
never happen again in the capital.
"The military command will do its best to prevent such a thing
happening here again," Ryamizard said, adding that he had
contacted city police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djadjoesman and
they were cooperating in investigating the case.
He also acknowledged that the command faced a dilemma when the
need arose to take stiff measures against violators.
"If we take stern action, the public will say the military has
acted against human rights principles. But if we take 'careful'
steps in restoring order, people say the command is dragging its
feet," Ryamizard said.
In a related development on Wednesday, Noegroho said his men
had questioned 11 suspects in relation to the Doulos attack.
Speaking to reporters at City Hall after a meeting with
Governor Sutiyoso, Noegroho said his office was waiting to
question the Doulos foundation chairman.
"We'd ask him about, among other things, the kind of buildings
in the complex and the victims in the attack," he said.
Noegroho also insisted that the arson attack on the 2.7-
hectare building complex was committed by locals.
Protest
Separately, some 200 Muslim residents from Cipayung staged a
demonstration at the House of Representatives on Wednesday,
protesting the planned rebuilding of the Doulos complex and the
arrest of several local Muslim residents for their alleged roles
in the attack.
The demonstrators, who carried banners bearing anti-
Christianization messages, protested the arrest of their fellow
residents and the questioning of two local ustads (religion
teachers).
They blamed the Doulos Foundation for running a theology
institute, a drug rehabilitation center and other charitable
activities at the complex.
Zul Akbar, spokesman for the demonstrators, told reporters
that the complex was burned down due to the foundation's attempt
to convert local Muslims to Christianity.
"We have protested the complex's presence over the last six
years, but the foundation ignored our protests. The foundation
should be blamed for the burning. The incident was triggered by
alleged Christianization," he said.
The demonstrators also demanded the city police release all
residents arrested in connection to the case.
Abdullah, an ustad participating in the protest, said hundreds
of Muslim residents had taken a refuge in other areas for fear of
being intimidated by authorities.
He also said the incident should not be politicized to
discredit city officials, including Governor Sutiyoso and
Noegroho.
"Muslims from the city and its outskirts will come in greater
numbers to the House if the House fails to channel their
aspirations," he warned.
Abdullah also told city authorities to prohibit the foundation
from rebuilding the complex because its presence and activities
would only trigger unrest among local Muslims.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Akbar Tandjung reiterated that the
burning of the complex could not be tolerated and all those
involved in the case should be brought to court.
"The case should be investigated thoroughly and all persons
found guilty of involvement in the burning should be punished to
prevent such incidents from happening in the future, because we
have agreed to respect all religions and their adherents'
rights," he said.
Akbar said the government had no reason to stop the foundation
rebuilding the complex if city planning stipulations allow the
presence of such a complex in the area.
"Amid the reform era, pluralism should be respected and all
religious leaders should play a role in improving religious
tolerance among people," he said. (asa/rms/05)