Police still on high alert despite progress in Larantuka

Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara

The security condition returned to normal in Larantuka, East Flores on Sunday, a day after thousands of angry residents burned down a district courthouse in response to the jailing of a local priest.

Nevertheless, police were still on high alert, beefing up security at several public facilities and residences of local officials.

Police said Sunday that they were yet to find and arrest those behind Saturday's violence, which saw the Larantuka District Court building and several others belonging to the Larantuka Prosecutor's Office razed by fire.

"The arson attack was a crime and we (police) have been ordered (by our superior) to hold a thorough investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice," East Flores Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Darto Juhartono said.

"Saturday's violence shouldn't have happened if people understand that Father Amanuen still has a chance to file an appeal. The legal process against him is not yet final."

Thousands of angry residents rampaged shortly after a judge declared Father Frans Amanuen guilty of defamation and sentenced him to a suspended jail sentence.

The case was filed by East Flores regent Felix Fernandez who sued after the priest accused him of marking up the price of a multipurpose boat worth Rp 3 billion (US$353,000).

The court sentenced the outspoken priest on Saturday to two months in jail, suspended for five months.

Amanuen has appealed the verdict.

Local police have approached local religious leaders and called on them to calm their followers and prevent them from committing anarchy.

Hundreds of police were deployed to guard Fernandez's official residence on Sunday, as well as the official residences of the heads of the Larantuka District Court and prosecutor's office.

Governor Piet A. Tallo urged local people to not get emotional in responding to the situation, saying that brutality would only create more problems.

"I urge local people to be cool headed in responding to the dispute between Father Amanuen and regent Fernandez, because brutality and anarchy will never solve problems," he said Sunday.