RELIGIOUS FREEDOM -- GOI TRIES TO CONTAIN ATTACKS

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 003464

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, DRL, DRL/IRF
INR FOR CHARLIE ZENZIE
NSC FOR EPHU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/26/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINS KISL PHUM ID
SUBJECT: RELIGIOUS FREEDOM -- GOI TRIES TO CONTAIN ATTACKS
ON SECT

REF: JAKARTA 3442

Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Vice President Kalla--who has close links to
Muslim groups--has strongly condemned last week's attack on
the Ahmadiyah religious sect. Kalla's statements placed
pressure on Islamic militants seeking to use religious edicts
issued by the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) to justify
violence against alleged heretics. Despite the GOI's best
efforts, however, some MUI leaders are not on board and
another attack against the sect took place on December 22.
END SUMMARY.

VP SPEAKS OUT


2. (SBU) In public remarks, Vice President Kalla has called
for an end to vigilante-style attacks on minority sects.
Kalla noted that recent attacks by Muslim militants on the
Ahmadiyah community in West Java (see reftel) were contrary
to law and order, and must come to an end. In making his
points, Kalla highlighted the Indonesian Constitution's
clauses guaranteeing protection of freedom of religion.
Kalla underscored that attacks were not appropriate simply
because the MUI had issued a decree that a certain sect was
heretical. (Note: Ahmadiyahs consider themselves Muslims,
but the MUI--on various theological grounds--asserts via a
2005 edict that they are not in the Sunni orthodox tradition
and should not be allowed to practice their faith.)


3. (SBU) Kalla said he had just met with President Yudhoyono
and key police officials, and the President had taken the
decision that police would take action against the militants.
Kalla also promised that the sealed Ahmadiyah facilities in
Kuningan, West Java, would be re-opened as soon as feasible.

KEY RELIGIOUS GROUP SPLIT


4. (SBU) The MUI was divided in its reaction to Kalla's
comments. Although Kholil Ridwan--a member of MUI's national
leadership board--condemned the use of violence against the
group, he blamed the attacks on Ahmadiyah beliefs and the
government's "lack of action" against the group. Ridwan
reiterated MUI's long-standing demand that the government
shut down all Ahmadiyah activities, saying that only that
would ensure peace. The West Java provincial MUI chairman,
however, said the Ahmadiyah community in West Java had always
lived in peace with its neighbors. He urged police to
prevent further violence.

ANOTHER ATTACK


5. (SBU) Kalla's statement unfortunately did not deter
another assault on the Ahmadiyah compound in Kuningan.
Locals say 50 masked militants attacked the compound on
December 22, setting fires and breaking windows. Although
little further damage was done to Ahmadiyah facilities (which
were already heavily damaged),the attack highlighted the
difficulty the police face in carrying out GOI instructions.
The West Java police chief, for his part, emphasized that his
officers would investigate all acts of violence and would not
discriminate against the minority sect.

TRYING TO PUT A LID ON IT


6. (C) The Indonesian government is clearly in a difficult
position. It wants to defend religious freedom--which is
actually a constitutional imperative--but it is under
significant pressure from religious conservatives. Given the
pressure, it was impressive that VP Kalla--who is an
observant Muslim and maintains close links with key Muslim
groups--spoke out in the way he did. Civil society
organizations have been galvanized by Kalla's remarks and
have spoken out to demand that the police arrest key
militants. Religious conservatives, however, are influential
and will be difficult to deter.

HUME