Separatists exploiting religion: Feisal Tanjung
Separatists exploiting religion: Feisal Tanjung
JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung warned yesterday that separatist groups in East Timor, Irian Jaya and Aceh are exploiting religious issues to further their agendas.
"They are using religion to justify their cause," Feisal said while addressing a meeting of top officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
"We must put the function of religion in its true place. Through this meeting I hope we can formulate the proper role of religion in the state," he said.
East Timor is a predominantly Roman Catholic territory, Irian Jaya is Christian while Aceh has a staunch Islamic community. The government has been facing armed insurgencies in all three provinces.
Feisal said the activities of these movements "cannot be separated" from the separatist ideas as is happening in other parts of the world.
Extremist groups would also try to exploit religious differences to sow discord in society, he said.
"There is a need to look deep into the mission of all religions, and to look at the problems that are occurring in society in accordance with religious teachings.
"For this reason, this forum is expected to come up with a concept of peaceful coexistence among the various religious communities in Indonesia that is based on objective conditions in the country," he said.
The general said that it is ironic that crime rates in Indonesia continue to increase even as religious life has grown stronger.
"This goes to show that religion has not been fully embraced by all members of society.
"For this reason, I believe there is a need to formulate a method of religious propagation that puts greater emphasis on building people's attitudes and characters," he said.
Religion is a sensitive issue and one that can fire up the emotions of believers. This is why the government is emphasizing that everyone should respect religious differences, he said.
"But we still find certain people in this country who try to exploit religious differences which can lead to conflict."
Indonesia experienced an unprecedented number of religious and racial riots last year across the country, including in several towns in East Timor and in West and Central Java. (01)
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