Mosque bombing

Mosque bombing

From Media Indonesia

In connection with a series of alarming incidents taking place recently, we feel the need to issue the following statement:

Bomb blasts at the Istiqlal mosque and at some other places in Jakarta, and similar incidents in other regions in Indonesia have clearly shown that our country is still in need of the restoration of order, security and harmony. While condemning these incidents, particularly the one occurring at the Istiqlal mosque, we demand and appeal as follows:

1. The government, along with state apparatuses (the police and the military) should more actively engage themselves in the field to prevent such incidents recurring.

2. The police, the prosecutor's office and the courts of law should immediately mete out compatible punishment on those found guilty in these incidents.

3. The community in general, and political parties and social organizations in particular, should help maintain security and order as a joint action to protect our country.

In addition, we also demand and appeal to the government that it should:

1. Prioritize protection of the community than simply ruling over them, appealing to them or ordering them to do things.

2. Emphasize the maintenance of harmony, peace and mutual help among members of and groups in the community.

3. Educate the community by, among other things, disseminating information regularly so that our nation will be dignified and respected in the international arena.

4. Enforce the law and uphold justice in the case of the government and the community.

5. Strengthen unity and do not tranfer problems to other parties.

In the meantime, allow us to emphasize here that this country is our common responsibility. Therefore, all parties should assume responsibility for its welfare. At this juncture, all must see to it that the general election will be held as scheduled on June 7, 1999, and will be democratic, flexible, free, confidential, honest, just and secure.

DELIAR NOER

General Chairman

Central Board of

the Muslim Community Party

Jakarta