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)