The written call, signed by Muslim, Christian, Catholic, Buddhist leaders and the chairman of Religious Harmony Forum of Maluku, was read out here on Tuesday by Maluku Provincial Office of the Ministry of Religion head Mohammad Atamimi.
According to the call, the people in Ambon, capital of Maluku province, should not be provoked too easily by baseless information from irresponsible people, but try to refrain from the adverse effects of provocation.
It said the people should immediately report every incident to the security authorities and not act as vigilantes.
Atamimi said the religious leaders, community and youth leaders, and mass organizations in Maluku should make every effort to maintain law and order without being provoked by unfounded information.
"Together, let us fight against provocateurs who spread misleading information to the public because they actually do not want peace and harmony to prevail in the province," Atamimi said.
Meanwhile Chief Security Minister Djoko Suyanto in Jakarta on Monday also called on the people in Ambon not to be too easily provoked by misleading rumors that would only lead to misunderstanding.
He said through technological means including social networks various information has intensively been flowing so that people need to screen them and check their truthfulness to avoid misunderstanding that may lead to social clashes.
"Please help inform the people that they must not be too easily provoked," he said at the presidential palace in response to the clashes in Ambon, in the eastern province of Maluku, on Saturday (September 10).
He said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had also called for an immediate and thorough settlement of the conflict.
Djoko said the police were now still looking for the provocateurs that have spread text messages encouraging people to fight.
"We are still after them. The police have already found their phone numbers," he said.
(Uu.O001/H-NG/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
