Police step up security around sect

Jakarta, NU Online
Police in major cities across the country are heightening security to guard against potential incidents following the issuance Monday of a ministerial decree outlawing the activities of the Ahmadiyah Islamic sect.

In the West Java capital of Bandung, the provincial police on Tuesday mobilized personnel to protect Ahmadiyah properties in the province.<>

Also Tuesday (10/6), a number of Muslim clerics and Islamic groups in the city protested against the government's decision, which they said could lead to conflict.

Ahmadiyah members in Bandung continued to carry out their regular activities. Members in Parakansalak and Sukabumi, however, have reported feeling intimidated by "Non-Ahmadiyah" stickers that have been put on houses in the area.

"Ahmadiyah authorities have closed their places of worship and preformed their prayers at home. They promised not to stir the situation, although they are not happy with the decision," West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Susno Duadji said in Bandung on Tuesday.

He promised his officers would protect the tens of thousands of Ahmadiyah members in Bogor, Sukabumi, Tasikmalaya, Kuningan, Indramayu, Majalengka and Bandung.

Police are focusing security on two major Ahmadiyah settlements, in Manis Lor village, Jalaksana district, Cirebon regency, and in Sadasari village, Argapura district, Majalengka.

Cirebon Police chief Sr. Comr. Nasser Amir said he had instructed police chiefs under his command in Kuningan, Majalengka and Cirebon city to boost security at all Ahmadiyah settlements.

Police have posted twice the usual number of personnel in Manis Lor, totaling four platoons, or 120 men. The village covers 123 hectares.

Manis Lor village is one of Ahmadiyah's major strongholds in Indonesia, with around 4,000 villagers, 3,000 of whom are Ahmadis.

The Manis Lor complex is often the target of attacks by hard-line groups.

In Yogyakarta, Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X on Tuesday held a meeting in an effort to prevent violence in relation to the Ahmadiyah decree.

The meeting was attended by the heads of the provincial prosecutor's office, police and military command.

The governor urged all people to observe the decree.

"Negative effects and anarchy can be avoided if everyone sticks to the law," he was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying.

The situation was calm in the Central Java provincial capital Semarang on Monday night, as Ahmadiyah members prayed at their mosque on Jl. Erlangga.

Hamidah, the wife of Muhammad Ahmad, a prominent Ahmadiyah cleric in Central Java, said Monday the decree did not have an impact on members' daily activities.

"We are still waiting for a decision from the Raisut Tabligh national clerics assembly on what steps we should take," she said.

In Makassar, South Sulawesi, Ahmadiyah followers continued their normal activities without apprehension.

"There is no reason for us to stop our activities because we are only carrying out our religious duties, such as performing prayers and reciting the Koran," Ahmadiyah's head cleric in South Sulawesi, Saleh Ahmadi, said Tuesday.

He said they were waiting for the central leadership board's response to the decree.

In Medan, North Sumatra, the head of the CEntraaaaal Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PB NU), Andi Jamaro Dulung, said he was not satisfied with the ministerial decree because it failed explicitly to ban the sect, instead only limiting its activities.

"However, the PB NU fully understands the stance taken by the government, as it referred to the law on association and gatherings," Jamaro said Tuesday. (dar)