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