Pakistan Christian Post, Mon 26th July, 2004
Indonesia: Ttrouble across the Archipelago
Religious tensions are simmering across the Indonesian archipelago. In Maluku, four
Pakistani Islamists were deported on 26 February for provocative activities. These
included preaching sermons that the police said had the potential to re-ignite religious
conflict.
In Central Sulawesi, Rev Renaldy Damanik (who survived an attempt on his life at
Christmas while in custody) remains in detention in Palu. His health has deteriorated
seriously due to liver disease and Hepatitis B. He was admitted to the Salvation Army
Hospital on 25 February, but the next day the judge ordered his removal to the Undata
Public Hospital of Palu.
The charge of possessing illegal weapons was so weak that Damanik is now accused
of being a provocateur of religious violence. That is a flimsy charge against one known
as a signatory to the Malino Peace Accord, an active Christian leader, the head of the
Crisis Centre for the Church of Central Sulawesi, humanitarian, peacemaker and
advocate for disarmament. He is protesting the charge by boycotting his trial.
Papua is a potential flashpoint. Police in Sorong recently arrested a Pakistani Islamist
for possessing 12 hand-made bombs, 1650 arrows, and hundreds of slingshots. A
large number of Laskar Jihad militants are being trained by the Indonesian military in
camps on the northern border with PNG.
Transmigrant Javanese now form Muslim majorities in several Papuan towns, with
Islamist activities such as jihad training and the delivery of provocative sermons,
videos and Islamist literature taking place openly. The Indonesian government has
signed a decree that violates the 2001 Special Autonomy Law by dividing Papua into
three provinces.
Church leaders are strongly opposing this as it will weaken Papua's autonomy and
marginalise the Christian majority, most of whom will be in just one province.
To top all this, the Indonesian military has drafted a 'Military Bill' that is presently
before the Assembly. They aim to secure greater military power, giving 'separatism' as
the reason they should control security as well as defence. They want to be free to
declare an emergency and deploy military forces to any 'security disturbance' without
first consulting the President.
Thus, the military could cite 'separatism' in Central Sulawesi, Maluku or Papua as an
emergency and send in troops. Powerful supporters of the bill include the chairman of
the Golkar Party, Akbar Tandjung, and the chairman of the National Mandate Party,
Amien Rais, who is also the chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly, the
country's highest legislative body.
Copyright © 2003 Pakistan Christian Post. All rights reserved.
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