The Jakarta Post, October 03, 2006
Poso, a matter of law, politics and religion
Asher Tauran, Jakarta
Both the editorial Miscarriage of justice and G.L Aditjondro's article Why should they
fear the (angry) masses in The Jakarta Post on Sept. 23 suggest legal flaws and
political motives behind the execution of the "Poso three".
I very much agree with the views expressed. But I simply cannot help but conclude
that far more is to be read between the lines of these articles. However, I am not
certain whether they were meant to be read using this kind of approach.
When, for example, the article questioned why the men's last wishes, regarding a
Roman Catholic burial ceremony, were denied, what crossed my mind was not the
fear of the masses' reaction, nor the "sense of guilt" of those responsible for this
"state-sanctioned murder".
My mind was filled with the shadows of the Santa Cruz massacre, those very
traumatic pictures that reached all corners of the world except for Indonesian
television sets. And as we all know the result of that massive miscarriage of justice, it
is hardly a surprise that those memories are still silently haunting the nation with
venom even today.
In other words, the Santa Maria church in Palu was never going to set the stage for
mourning over those slain bodies, regardless of the feelings of the catholic community
and the people of Flores, west Timor and surrounding islands in particular.
The determination of the authorities only raises the suspicion that the root of this
countries' fear lies in its helplessness.
If the mere mention of this makes some people in this country and the state
uncomfortable, this only demonstrates the country's lack of confidence in its own
policies, fed by an anxiety about self-fulfilling prophecies.
If the state believes the execution was carried out after following all legal procedures
and that we should abide by the "law" of this nation, this simply sounds hollow as it
refutes the overall belief that the "law" in this country is up for auction and hardly
independent. If the state believes that the legal process had nothing to do with
religion, it has lost touch with reality.
Although these convictions and executions were very much about law and politics,
they also underlined the relevance of religion. As citizens of Indonesia we are
constantly reminded of our religious origins.
In fact, I believe that in this country we are almost entirely defined by it. Politics are
often a reflection of our religious beliefs. Our politics will never betray our religion as
by definition it is self-preserving. The trial of the Poso three was very much about
belonging to one religion and appeasing members of the other.
This country's "obsession" with a sense of belonging to a certain religion is evident in
our identity cards, our names, our "civil laws" our friends, our communities, our
spouses, the fill-in forms at local stores, it has even become a commodity, an asset
or liability.
Our laws and customs have accommodated religious segregation and our views today
are colored by the religious spectacles we choose to wear. The bottom line is that in
my view, law, politics and religion in this country are intertwined and in complete
symbiosis.
In case the state has not noticed, its version of "justice and fairness" over the last
decade has created a profound disdain, which has been brewing especially among
ethnic and religious minority groups in this country. There is a growing sense that oil
and water do not mix. And that such an attitude is tacitly condoned by the state,
though it may claim otherwise.
When preventing religious ceremonies from taking place in the interest of public order,
like the burial ceremony of the Poso three, the state law, politics and religion again
"cross swords". I am afraid that whether the state likes it or not, through its own
making no differentiation is possible between these three elements in the eyes of
society, even when appeasing claims to the contrary are made in public.
The President had his chance to distance himself from this web of "national intrigue".
His clemency, for any death penalty regardless of guilt or innocence, would have been
honored. He would have shown wisdom and above all, a sense of humanity. But not
even raising his voice when it comes to the freedom of his citizens to mourn in
accordance with their faith is just another slap in their faces. For that, he fully
deserves to win the Nobel Rest In Peace Price.
The writer is a graduate from the University of Amsterdam (European Studies). He
can be reached at principe@indosat.net.id.
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