Ryamizard warns Jakartans of attempts to sow conflict
Ryamizard warns Jakartans of attempts to sow conflict
JAKARTA (JP): Head of the Jakarta Military Command Maj. Gen.
Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Friday certain groups were plotting to
spark religious conflicts in the capital over Christmas and New
Year.
On Christmas Eve scores of security personnel could be seen
deployed at several churches.
Until Sunday, no incidents of religiously motivated violence
had been reported in and around the capital. Christians prayed in
their churches on Christmas eve on Friday and celebrated the
following day in a peaceful and calm fashion, while Muslims
performed their fasting as usual.
Ryamizard said indications groups were planning to create
tension between followers of different religions were based on
the findings of his intelligence officers.
"The command's military intelligence unit has observed several
meetings held by those groups, discussing instigating riots
either on Christmas day or New Year Eve," he told reporters,
after leading a ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
Jakarta Military Command at its headquarters in East Jakarta.
Ryamizard, however, did not identify the leaders or give
details on the motives of the groups that were ready to rock the
city.
"The command has even found several pamphlets containing
statements insulting other (religious) parties," the two-star
general said.
He said the Jakarta Military Command had done its best to foil
the plotters by, among other things, working together with the
police.
"If we don't coordinate with the police in preventing such
plans, the Doulos incident could happen again here," he said.
Ryamizard was referring to the Dec. 15 arson attack by a mob
on a school of theology and rehabilitation centers for drug
addicts and mentally-ill people at the Christian-owned Doulos
complex in Cipayung, East Jakarta.
The mob, believed to be locals upset at the alleged active
Christianization scheme run by staff of the complex, beat and
stabbed people in the complex. One person was killed and dozens
other injured in the nighttime attack, which was immediately
condemned by the government and public.
Police so far have named 11 suspects in the arson attack.
Ryamizard said his command had deployed 300 personnel to
assist the city police in safeguarding the city from any
religious or communal clashes during the festive season.
"But, all troops are ready to back up the police," he said.
He also urged people to participate in safeguarding the city.
"People should inform the command or the police immediately if
they find any indication that a group of people are attempting,
for example, to attack a religious place," he said. (asa)