The root cause of the recent Cikeusik incident was first of all triggered by the society members` dissatisfaction with the government`s weak stance on the Ahmadiyah problem
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Temporary findings from National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM) showed the recent sectarian violence which happened in Cikeusik subdistrict, Banten province, was planned and organized by certain people.

The statement was made by Nurcholis, a member of Komnas HAM, here on Wednesday at a hearing with members of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives. Nurcholis said he had visited the location to interview local government and the victims.

Based on investigation in the location, he said, there was an indication that police`s intelligence data was weak and that the attack was done by outsiders, not by locals.

"Next week we will send a team to Banten to meet with district police chief and provincial police chief," he said adding that he would also meet with people who allegedly launched the attack.

Nurcholis said Komnas HAM would also investigate whether on-duty security personnel at the time had actively tried to secure the situation or not.

A series of attacks on Ahmadiyah religious sect followers and their properties have occurred in some parts of Indonesia over the past two years.

The latest incident happened in Umbulan village Cikeusik subdistrict, Pandeglang district, Banten province, on February 6, killing three people.

Earlier, the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) stated the government must show a firm stance on Ahmadiyah to halt tension in the society.

"The root cause of the recent Cikeusik incident was first of all triggered by the society members` dissatisfaction with the government`s weak stance on the Ahmadiyah problem," MUI`s Chairman Sahal Mahfudh said.

He said MUI had actually issued a fatwa against misleading Ahmadiyah . "Now, it is up to the government to take any necessary action. It is wrong if MUI has involved too much in the government`s authority," he said.

Sahal Mahfudh said the state`s firm regulation on the Ahmadiyah had firmly been revealed by Law No 1/1965 on the prevention of misuse of and/or religious blasphemy.

The government had also issued a joint decree of three ministers regarding the Ahmadiyah question, he said.

However, as a result of the government`s lenient stance and the lack of firmness to ban this sect, as mandated by Law No 1/1965, several groups of people in the society had lost their patience.

They then made their own decision by punishing the Ahmadiyah followers who were free to propagate their misleading teachings with their own, he said.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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