"We are deeply concerned that a conflict broke out again in Sumbawa Besar. The conflict claimed no life but it caused damage to property including a hotel. This makes us very sad," Din Syamsuddin, who was born in the city, said.
Mataram, W Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - General Chairman of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah Dien Syamsuddin expressed deep concern about a resurgence of communal conflicts in the city of Sumbawa Besar, in West Nusatenggara, on Tuesday.

Similar conflicts over tribal and religious sentiments broke out in the capital city of the regency of Sumbawa on Nov. 17 in 1980.

"We are deeply concerned that a conflict broke out again in Sumbawa Besar. The conflict claimed no life but it caused damage to property including a hotel. This makes us very sad," Dien Syamsuddin, who was born in the city, said via telephone.

The causes of the conflicts on Tuesday were almost the same as in 1980 over tribal and religious sentiments, he said.

"This shows there is still something in the communities that needs serious addressing, a problem under the responsibility of the government and religious and community leaders," he said.

Tribe and religion have nothing to with the conflicts but it happened that the two people involved in an accident were from different tribes and religions, he said.

The family of the victim of the accident should have brought their case to the law to be settled legally , he said.

"I call for complete investigation of the conflict to prevent it to become a bad precedent," he said.

He said religions and our culture are against violence, therefore, the people should be able to control their anger and emotion to prevent violence.

Tends of property buildings including houses and a hotel were badly damaged in the conflict yesterday afternoon.

West Nusa Tenggara police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Sukarman Husein said traffic accident had been rumored as a murder triggering the communal conflict.

Sukarman said the traffic accident occurred on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 23.00 local time at the Sumbawa-Kanar highway.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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