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Tag: Indonesia

  • Study Finds Majority Of People Condemning Ahok’s ‘Blasphemy’ Not Well Informed

    Study Finds Majority Of People Condemning Ahok’s ‘Blasphemy’ Not Well Informed

    Few Indonesian people who believe that Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has committed blasphemy have a clear understanding of the context of his speech during which he quoted a Quranic verse, a survey has found.

    The survey commissioned by Jakarta-based pollster Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) revealed on Thursday that 45.2 percent of respondents regarded Ahok’s remarks during his conversation with local residents in Thousand Islands regency on Sept.27, in which he cited Surah al-Maidah, as blasphemous.

    However, when they were asked about the governor’s remarks, only 11.5 percent of the respondents said they clearly understood what Ahok had said.

    The study further found that only 12.9 percent of the public had seen the video of Ahok’s speech uploaded on the Internet.

    “As the study found that only a very few people had actually watched the video [of Ahok’s statement], much of the blasphemy-related negative sentiment about Ahok is baseless,” SMRC founder Saiful Mujani told a discussion on Thursday.

    SMRC surveyed 1,220 respondents aged 17 years and above in its study conducted from Nov. 22 through 28 in response to the massive anti-Ahok demonstration organized by Islamic organizations, including the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), on Nov. 4. The survey was conducted through direct interviews with respondents in various areas across the country.

     

    Source: The Jakarta Post

  • Bigotry Haunts Indonesia

    Bigotry Haunts Indonesia

    The National Police have come under fire for failing to uphold the law in the face of intolerant actions by hard-line groups, which have become more assertive in the midst of rising conservatism in the country.

    In the past three days, the country has seen at least two incidents where hard-line Muslims intimidated people of other faiths and forced them to give in to their demands.

    A day after an Islamic group called the Ahlu Sunnah Defenders (PAS) in Bandung forced a Christian community to cancel a Christmas service on Tuesday, the Muslim People Forum (FUI) of Yogyakarta forced Duta Wacana Christian University (UKDW) to take down billboards that feature a student wearing a hijab on Wednesday.

    The billboards show three female students, one of whom is wearing a hijab, studying in a library as a symbol of religious pluralism on the campus. The billboards have stood for about three months in a number of spots in Yogyakarta, including one on the campus compound, to welcome prospective freshmen.

    It was not until Wednesday that the hard-line group claimed the billboards “insulted Islam”.

    UKDW rector Henry Feriadi said campus management had no choice but to bow to the demands of the hard-line group because the university did not want to create noise that could disrupt activities at the campus and in Yogyakarta.

    “The group said the billboards were misleading because it [hijab] is a symbol of Islam, and we did not ask permission from the mass organization to display such billboards. We never engage in proselytization [as accused] because we respect pluralism,” Henry told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

    After the UKDW incident, other Christian universities in Yogyakarta fear they could be the next targets.

    Atmajaya University in Yogyakarta may take down a billboard depicting a student wearing a hijab on Jl. Urip Sumoharjo in the city. Meanwhile, the Catholic Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta is also on alert following circulating information on social media that the FUI will pay a visit because the campus has a similar billboard displayed in front of the university.

    The brazen acts of intimidation by hard-line groups has sparked concerns that the police are too soft in dealing with their antics.

    Setara Institute chairman Hendardi criticized the police for failing to uphold the law and instead acting as a mediator when handling acts of intolerance. “Sometimes the police get confused over what they need to do in such a situation, so they always bow to pressure from intolerant groups,” Hendardi said.

    The police should take firm action against intolerant groups, National Awakening Party (PKB) lawmaker Maman Imanulhaq said.

    “Those groups think they are free to do anything they want. That’s because law enforcers have never been firm,” he added.

    National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar dismissed accusations that the force had bowed to hard-line groups and defended their approach of mediating conflicting parties rather than enforcing the law.

    “If the intolerant groups violate the law and move to conduct violence such as torture or destruction, they will be punished for sure.For now , mediation is important to find the root cause of the problems,” Boy said.

    Police have been under pressure from hard-line Islamic groups following the blasphemy accusation against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.

    After speeding up the investigation into Ahok’s blasphemy case, the police are pushing the North Jakarta District Court to move the location of Ahok’s trial for fear that it could attract protesters, including hard-line groups, potentially triggering security problems.

    The court, however, has said that it may ignore the police’s recommendations.

     

    Source: The Jakarta Post

  • Muslims Lambast Christmas Service Raid In Bandung

    Muslims Lambast Christmas Service Raid In Bandung

    The country’s largest Muslim organizations have vowed to help protect Christians across the country ahead of Christmas, in the wake of the latest intolerant act by hardliners against a Christian community in West Java’s provincial capital of Bandung.

    The Reformed Injili Indonesia Church was forced to cancel a Christmas service at the Sasana Budaya Ganesha (Sabuga), a popular auditorium in Bandung, on Tuesday after a number of people calling themselves the Ahlu Sunnah Defenders (PAS) stormed into the building and broke up the service.

    The protestors claimed the event to be “illegal” because it was held at a public facility.

    The incident took place amid widespread religious tension centering on the blasphemy case levelled against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahja Purnama.

    The country’s largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) lashed out at PAS for its brutal action and asked the government “to dissolve such an anti-pluralist organization”.

    NU said its youth wing Barisan Ansor Serbaguna (Banser) across the country would help ensure Christians could peacefully prepare for and celebrate Christmas.

    “Banser members will be at the forefront of protecting Christian fellow citizens while conducting prayers and activities ahead of Christmas. This is in the name of tolerance,” NU deputy secretary-general Imam Pituduh told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

    Imam called on the government to investigate the motivation behind PAS’ disruption of the Christmas service in order to ensure the protection of minority groups.

    Similarly, Muhammadiyah, the country’s second-largest Islamic organization, said it would intensify interfaith dialogue.

    Muhammadiyah Youth chairman Dahnil Simanjuntak said hard-line groups were also encouraged to participate in the discussions.

    “They are just a few [groups]. There are a lot more Muslims who are more tolerant out there,” he told the Post.

    Muhammadiyah has an interfaith program called “Clean, Pray and Love” (CPL) which encourages young people to engage in interfaith activities such as cleaning houses of worship, including churches and mosques.

    The National Police said they would deploy a total of 155,000 personnel across the country from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2, 2017.

    Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil said that the disrupted Christmas service was legal.

    “We deplore the intimidation by the organization, which is inappropriate and disrespectful to the spirit of Bhineka Tunggal Ika [unity in diversity, the National Philosophy],” Ridwan said, adding that he was on a visit to Jakarta when the incident took place.

    West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, however, said the intolerant act was something that people “should not be worried about”.

    “It’s just a minor incident,” said the Islam-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician.

    Setara Institute chairman Hendardi said the recent large-scale anti-Ahok rallies could have emboldened intolerant groups.

    Hendardi urged the authorities to bring the perpetrators of the Bandung incident to justice. “Otherwise, similar incidents could happen ahead of Christmas,” he said.

    The Religious Affairs Ministry said the Bandung incident had inspired it to draft an article in the protection of religious followers bill, still being drawn up by the ministry, which will stipulate criminal charges for individuals and organizations that disrupt public religious activities.

    The committee of the canceled Christmas service said in a statement that it had acquired all necessary permits.

    “We regret the disruption by a number of people who represented an organization, and that the police failed to protect the dignity of the state and the constitution,” the statement said.

     

    Source: The Jakarta Post

  • Angka Korban Gempa Aceh Kini Melepasi 100 Orang; 14 Masjid Turut Mengalami Kerosakan

    Angka Korban Gempa Aceh Kini Melepasi 100 Orang; 14 Masjid Turut Mengalami Kerosakan

    Angka korban akibat gempa bumi kuat yang melanda Aceh di Sumatera, Indonesia meningkat kepada 102 orang, kata pihak berkuasa hari ini (8 Dis).

    Gempa sekuat 6.5 magnitud melanda wilayah itu pagi semalam, menyebabkan banyak bangunan dan rumah di daerah Pidie Jaya roboh. 85 daripada 102 mangsa sudah dikenal pasti, menurut Agensi Mencari dan Menyelamat Nasional Indonesia (BASARNAS) dalam satu sidang media.

    Ia turut mendedahkan bahawa 14 masjid mengalami kerosakan akibat bencana alam itu.

    Agensi tersebut menambah ia belum meminta bantuan antarabangsa untuk membantu usaha menyelamat kerana keadaan itu masih boleh ditangani di peringkat nasional – sambil menambah bahawa terdapat keperluan yang mendesak bagi bekalan makanan, pakaian kanak-kanak dan ubat-ubatan.

    BASARNAS menyatakan operasi mencari dan menyelamat akan diteruskan sepanjang “tempoh penting” ini, iaitu selama tujuh hari – tempoh genting untuk menarik keluar orang yang terperangkap di bawah runtuhan bangunan.

    Lebih 1,000 askar dan sekitar 900 pegawai polis dikerahkan ke kawasan-kawasan yang paling teruk terjejas untuk membangunkan tempat perlindungan sementara, kata seorang pegawai tempatan.

    “Bekalan elektrik masih terputus. Beberapa tempat sudah dipasang dengan mesin penjana kuasa, tetapi banyak lagi tempat yang memerlukannya,” kata ketua agensi bencana tempatan Puteh Manaf kepada AFP.

    “Jika hujan, kami khuatir penyakit akan menular.”

    Source: Berita MediaCorp

  • Jokowi Treason Arrests Questioned

    Jokowi Treason Arrests Questioned

    President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s commitment to freedom of speech has come under scrutiny following the arrest of several antigovernment figures last week over alleged treason.

    Jokowi won praise for his bold move to take part in mass prayers last Friday with thousands of Muslims who demanded the imprisonment of blasphemy suspect and incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.

    Hours earlier, the police had arrested 11 people accused of attempting to mobilize a movement to overthrow the government by utilizing the large-scale rally.

    On Saturday, the National Police released eight of the suspects, including activist Ratna Sarumpaet and musician-turned-politician Ahmad Dhani.

    Former anti-Soeharto activist Sri Bintang Pamungkas, 71, and two siblings, Jamran and Rizal, remain in detention.

    Another suspect, Alvin Indra, was only announced by the police in a press conference on Saturday.

    Most of the suspects were charged under articles 107, 110 and 87 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on treason and conspiracy to commit treason.

    Sri Bintang was also charged under the 2008 Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law for hate speech.

    In a video uploaded to YouTube, he was seen encouraging dozens of people to demand that the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) overthrow Jokowi.

    “If [we all] unite, let’s go together and demand the MPR revoke Jokowi’s mandate as president,” Sri Bintang said in the video.

    Jamran and Rizal were also charged with the 2008 law as the police claimed they had actively spread hate speech and provocation on the internet ahead of the Dec. 2 rally.

    National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli denied that the arrests were arbitrary or aimed at silencing government critics.

    “There is a clear line of distinction between delivering criticism and attempting to conspire and provoke people to commit treason,” Boy said on Saturday.

    “[In this case] treason was [the action of those] who used their freedom to spread provocative ideas that could create a reaction, mislead people and drive public opinion,” he added.

    He claimed the police had solid grounds to name them suspects, based on evidence including a “handwritten document and electronic evidence that recorded a conversation among the suspects”.

    One of the suspects, activist Firza Husein, is the chairwoman of the Cendana Friend Solidarity Movement (SSC), an organization that reveres former president Soeharto.

    Cyberlaw expert Megi Margiyono urged the authorities to be prudent and cautious in handling the cases, citing people’s freedom of expression, which is protected under the 1945 Constitution and international laws, including the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

    “Don’t make the public negatively assume that this is an attempt [by the authorities] to silence those who strongly criticize the government,” he told The Jakarta Post.

    Similarly, Asep Komarudin of the Legal Aid Institute for the Press (LBH Pers) viewed the arrests as a threat to freedom of expression.

    “It’s bad for the public image of the President and the government. Government intelligence should have waited for them to take concrete action before arresting them,” he told the Post.

    Asep said treason charges in the Criminal Code had been loosely used by the government in the past to silence government critics.

    Under the New Order regime, Indonesia saw numerous activists who opposed Soeharto charged with treason. Since the Reform Era, treason has been mostly reserved for Papuan activists and terror suspects.

    Constitutional expert Refly Harun, however, said it was “right” for the police to make the arrests as a preventive action.

    “However, the authorities should ensure they uphold the rule of law and have strong evidence,” he said.

    Boy suggested that labor activists may have also planned to use the rally to launch a treason plot.

    “We are now investigating whether [labor activists] also had a treason plot,” he said.

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    8 treason suspects

    • Rachmawati Soekarnoputri: The daughter of Indonesia’s first president Sukarno often takes a different stance to her sister, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman and former president Megawati Soekarnoputri. In 2002, Rachmawati founded the Pioneers’ Party before joining the NasDem Party, which is led by media mogul and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s confidant Surya Paloh.

    • Firza Husain: Jakarta Police investigators arrested the activist at the Sari Pan Pacific Hotel in Central Jakarta. She reportedly has a close relationship with the once-powerful “Cendana” family, which refers to the family of Indonesia’s second president Soeharto.

    • Kivlan Zen: The 69-year-old retired two-star Army general was known as a staunch supporter of Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto during the 2014 presidential election. Since his retirement from the Army, Kivlan has often been involved in political activities.

    • Sri Bintang Pamungkas: Sri Bintang, 71, is best known for his political activities during the authoritarian regime of Soeharto, when he was once jailed for treason. In 1996, he founded the United Democratic Indonesia Party, which garnered a mere 0.13 percent of votes during the 1999 general election.

    • Ratna Sarumpaet: The actress-turned-activist has frequently made headlines for her fierce criticism of Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s policies. The mother of actress Atiqah Hasiholan is also known to be vocal on social media.

    • Adityawarman Thaha: The retired Army general is a renowned counterterrorism expert. As chairman of the Indonesian Muslim Students’ Family Association between 2011 and 2015, Adityawarman is also known for his close relationship with conservative Muslim groups. He was Prabowo’s supporter in the 2014 presidential race.

    • Eko Suryo Santjojo: Eko was the secretary-general of Rachmawati’s Pioneers’ Party. Eko has a master’s degree in law and is a member of the rector’s council of the Rachmawati-led Bung Karno University (UBK) in Jakarta.

    • Alvin Indra: Little is known about Alvin, whose status as a suspect in the alleged treason plot was only revealed on Saturday. Circulating rumors have suggested he is a labor activist.

     

    Source: The Jakarta Post