"A suspect has been arrested. He is not a resident of Temanggung district but he does come from Central Java," National Police Chief General Timur Pradopo said.
At least three churches were destroyed after they became the target of mass attacks following a clash during a court session on a religious blasphemy case involving suspect Antonius Richmond Bawengan, 50, in Tamanggung district court on Tuesday.
However, Pradopo did not reveal the suspect`s name and identity. Despite that, the police chief vowed to bring those involved in the incident to court.
"The suspect who has been caught will help reveal the case. Whoever violates the law will be punished," he said.
Pradopo said he would comprehensively reveal the case and find out the root causes of the problem along with local governments and other related stakeholders.
"At the moment, the police and the Indonesian Defense Force (TNI) apparatuses have been working closely to handle the situation," he said.
Various elements in the society deplored the Temanggung incident.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono himself denounced the anarchic acts committed by a group of people who destroyed the houses of prayers and their facilities during the incident.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto said that the president had also instructed the Central Java Police chief to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
"The president also instructed that those involved in the anarchic acts be processed based on the law soon," he said.
The president also instructed security officers and regional government officials to increase their detection efforts, take preventive measures and firm actions against the perpetrators of the anarchic acts.
Djoko said that the government would not tolerate any form of violence carried out by the people against their fellow citizens, no matter what their reasons were.
"The incident should thoroughly be investigated and those behind it should be acted upon firmly," the chief security minister said.(*)
Editor: Ruslan Burhani
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
