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)