Voilence mars Idul Fitri
JAKARTA (JP): The Idul Fitri holiday this year was marred by violence in Maluku, Central Sulawesi and Aceh, but signs of progress toward peace in East Timor gave cause for optimism when Catholic and Muslim leaders shared the celebrations.
In Jakarta, President B.J. Habibie and Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto both used the religious sentiment to urge people to think rationally and to stop denouncing the government, and in Ujungpandang, Southeast Sulawesi, Governor La Ode Kaimoeddin set a good example by apologizing to the community there for his shortcomings and mistakes.
Tension clouded celebrations in the Central Sulawesi capital of Palu, with most residents staying at home after hearing rumors that houses would be set on fire by an angry mob. More than 100 families living near Talise beach in West Besusu fled their homes and sought shelter in other areas on Tuesday evening.
Pius, who was among those who fled, identified the mob as villagers from Pengawu who were seeking to avenge the torture of a friend named Akbar by Talise people one day earlier.
"We remain alert to the possibility of crime and traffic accidents," provincial police spokesperson Ida Kartati said on Wednesday.
Tension also marred Idul Fitri celebrations in North Aceh following rumors that an alleged separatist leader would attack the town of Lhokseumawe, and in Ambon, Maluku, where at least ten people have been killed in fighting sparked by rumors of the burning of mosques and churches.
Despite unrest plaguing other parts of the country, signs of encouragement could still be found in Dili, East Timor.
Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo visited and prayed at the historic An'nur Mosque in Alor village, Dili, on the eve of Idul Fitri. His visit and his decision to pray in the grand mosque was warmly welcomed by hundreds of Muslims.
The 1996 Nobel Peace Prize winner told Muslims and their leaders that he would be among the first to defend the mosque, built in the 1940s, or any other mosque that was attacked by mobs set on causing trouble.
Traditionally, Muslims in Dili also visit the bishop on Christmas Eve.
In Jakarta, President B.J. Habibie, and current and former Cabinet ministers and senior Armed Forces (ABRI) officers held open house at their respective residences. Their subordinates, community leaders and the representatives of community groups dominated their guest lists.
Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto, Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung, and former vice presidents Sudharmono and Try Sutrisno were among those who spent Tuesday receiving well-wishers.
Speaking to journalists after attending the Idul Fitri prayer at ABRI's Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, Wiranto urged citizens to stop denouncing each other and to show more patience.
"A lot of problems are confronting the nation, while many people continue to insult and suspect each other...Let us all stop these negative things," he said.
This year's Idul Fitri, or Lebaran as it is known locally, was more subdued than in previous years due to the severe economic crisis. Sales of clothes and other goods were down, and the sound of firecrackers, an Idul Fitri trademark, was less frequent than usual.
However, spirits remained high in the larger part of the country.
In Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, heavy rains could not prevent thousands of Muslims from saying their prayers at 21 mosques in the city. Almost 4,000 Muslims assembled at Nurusaa'dah Grand Mosque alone. Unlike previous Idul Fitri holidays, this time around prayers were not held in open fields.
Antara did not explain the reason for this change, however an incident in November might had influenced the decision. A dozen mosques were burned or vandalized during two days of rioting in Kupang in November which appeared to be in retaliation for the burning of several churches in Jakarta one week earlier.
In Bandar Lampung, Lampung, Idul Fitri was marked in a peaceful and cheerful atmosphere. Many farmers, especially those who produce cash crops for export, could indulge more than usual due to healthy profits resulting from the rupiah's weakness against the U.S. dollar.
A similar state of affairs prevailed in Bengkulu.
In Jayapura, celebrations ran smoothly. Jayapura Police chief Let. Col. Silooy said that no traffic accidents or crimes had been reported as of Wednesday afternoon.
Back in Jakarta, the government released 28 convicts who had completed their sentences from Cipinang and Salemba prisons.
"I hope that you will not return here again," Minister of Justice Muladi told the prisoners during a visit to Cipinang. (prb/44)