Religious leaders call for unity and solidarity

Religious leaders call for unity and solidarity

JAKARTA (JP): Prominent religious leaders and scholars
gathered on Monday to mourn recent outbreaks of violence that had
claimed many lives, and to make an appeal that it end with last
week's unrest in Ambon.

The group, consisting of at least 80 religious figures from
across the country, met at the residence of Muslim leader
Abdurrahman Wahid in Ciganjur, South Jakarta.

They stated their support for Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander
Gen. Wiranto's campaign to expose the masterminds of the rioting,
and called on the people not to take the law into their own
hands.

"Actually I know the names of several (masterminds) but I
cannot reveal them here due to lack of legal evidence. I do not
want to be sued over this," said Abdurrahman, who chairs the
country's largest Muslim organization, Nahdatul Ulama, in a media
briefing held immediately after the session.

"I have asked General Wiranto about this. He is the one
holding the key to the identity of the crooks. Well, if the names
were declared (here and now) it certainly would create unrest,"
he said, referring to a meeting he had with Wiranto and several
opposition leaders on Sunday.

Wiranto said after the meeting that rioting in Ambon, which
killed at least 50 people, had a similar pattern to other
communal clashes.

The meeting also resulted in Wiranto's vow that ABRI would
stay neutral in the coming June elections. He cited allegations
that recent riots were engineered to foil the elections and the
ongoing investigation into former president Soeharto's wealth.

"The only obstacle for him (Wiranto) to point out the suspects
is lack of supporting evidence," Abdurrahman said.

He said the group will continue to press the government to put
an end to violence and support the community's healing process.

"There is no way out of this except by being united. We, who
gather here, come from various religious backgrounds and ethnic
groups (and yet have united)," Abdurrahman said.

Some of the participants came from Bali, Maluku and Nusa
Tenggara.

Abdurrahman dismissed the suggestion that Monday's meeting was
designed to help further Wiranto's political agenda, but noted
that ABRI did need the support of the whole community if security
is to be enforced effectively.

"Well, I'd say that his (Wiranto) meeting with us had been
carefully discussed with his superior. I believe that none of us,
including Wiranto, were the ones behind the riots.

"But I do not know if there are culprits in the Armed Forces
or Soeharto's followers who are behind this ... it is an open
possibility," he added.

Abdurrahman, who sat next to Jakarta Archbishop Julius
Cardinal Darmaatmadja in the media briefing, and gestured to him
when making several points, noted that several places are likely
to be hit by riots.

"I've been informed by sources and the cardinal told me
himself about these areas. However, I cannot reveal the sites as
it will only heat things up."

"We have to choose between retaliation or peace. I know it is
hard for those who were involved in the clashes to shake hands in
truce just like that. But there is no other choice but to unite,"
Abdurrahman said.

Also attending the session were Catholic priests Mudji
Sutrisno, scholar Y.B. Mangunwijaya, Hindu leaders Gedong Bagoes
Oka and Ida Rsi Dvijawani, representatives of the Indonesian
Buddhist Community Bhikkhu Candakaro, and Muslim scholar Alwi
Shihab.

Most of those at the meeting at Abdurrahman's house displayed
grave faces.

Also attending were Frans Seda, and Indonesian Anti-
Discrimination Movement (GANDI) representative Albertus Sugeng.

Chairman of the Protestant Indonesian Communion of Churches
(PGI) Soelarso Sopater could not attend, but was represented by
secretary general J.M. Pattiasina. (edt)