... concentrating on rebuilding the kiosks and the musholla to make the economy run again...Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The situation in Karubaga in Tolikara, Papua province, is more stable now, after the incident that took place in the district on Friday, July 17, Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said here on Wednesday.
"I was there (in Tolikara) for a day, yesterday. It was peaceful. There was no problem at all. I met with all community members and shook hands with them," he stated after exchanging Eid greetings with President Joko Widodo and other cabinet members at the State Palace.
He added that the TNI (military) and community members worked together to clean up the debris of the kiosks and a house of prayer (mosque) that were burned down during the attack.
In addition, interfaith leaders witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony to rebuild the structures.
"We are now concentrating on rebuilding the kiosks and the musholla to make the economy run again," Kumolo remarked.
During the meeting, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ordered the police to continue to investigate the case thoroughly.
On the occasion, TNI Commander General Gatot Nurmantyo emphasized the need to ensure that such an incident does not recur in the future.
All followers of a religion must respect adherents of other religions and the countrys diversity because the movement to fight for the independence of Indonesia was based on the concept of "unity in diversity."
"As the nation was built on the ideology of Unity In Diversity, (Bhinneka Tunggal Ika) we must not allow national harmony to be affected by such an incident. I think religious leaders have already stressed how we must strengthen our unity to build the nation," he pointed out.
After exchanging Eid greetings, President Joko Widodo gathered a number of ministers and security leaders in a limited meeting to discuss the Tolikara incident.
At the meeting, they called for the enforcement of law with regard to the incident and the holding of dialogs with local religious, traditional and community leaders to calm the tension in Tolikara.
Moreover, Jokowi also ordered for funding of Rp1 billion to be extended as assistance to rebuild the burned facilities in the district.
According to General Nurmantyo, Jokowi is coordinating with the regional military commander to ensure that 70 kiosks are rebuilt and 14 new ones are constructed to accommodate local inhabitants.
"A musholla will be built on a plot of land belonging to the sub-district military command, upon the agreement of the district head. All work will be completed within a month so the economy can come into operation again. They will be built like before," he affirmed.
Editor: Ade P Marboen
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