The Jakarta Post, 10/16/2006 1:19:48 PM
Christian priest killed by unidentified gunman in Palu
PALU, Central Sulawesi (AP): An unidentified gunman killed a Christian priest
Monday on Sulawesi island, where religious tensions have been mounting since last
month's executions of three Roman Catholic militants, officials said.
National Police Chief Gen. Sutanto said he ordered an investigation into the death of
Rev. Irianto Kongkoli, who was shot in the head while visiting a shop with his wife in
Palu, the provincial capital of Central Sulawesi.
"We need to make sure such killings do not happen again," he told reporters in the
capital Jakarta.
Indonesia is a secular nation but has the world's largest number of Muslims, with
nearly 90 percent of its 220 million people practicing the faith. But Central Sulawesi
province, which was the scene of wide-scale sectarian violence several years ago,has
a large Christian population.
Tensions have risen since the Sept. 22 executions of three men convicted of leading a
Christian militia that carried out a series of attacks in 2000, including a machete and
gun assault on an Islamic school that left at least 70 dead.
Human rights groups have questioned the fairness of the trial, with some analysts
suggesting that Indonesia bowed to pressurefrom hard-line Muslims in handing down
the sentences.
Few Muslims were punished for their part in the unrest, which left 1,000 people of both
faiths dead, and none to more than 15 years in jail.
Central Sulawesi Governor Bandjela Paliudju told reporters at the House of
Representatives compound in Jakarta he believed the priest's death was linked to last
month's executions. There have been several bomb blasts and attacks in recent
weeks, with at least two people killed.
"He was an outspoken priest who many times led Christian protests against the
executions," Paliudju said. (***)
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