Pastor And Ustaz Become Victims Of KKB Shooting, Commission VIII DPR: Government And TNI-Polri Must Protect Preachers In Conflict Areas

Illustration. One of the armed criminal groups (KKB) Papua. (AMONG)

JAKARTA - Ustaz and priests were among the 10 victims killed in the massacre by the Papuan Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Nogolait Village, Nduga Regency, Papua, Saturday, July 16. In response to this incident, a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission VIII in charge of religion, MF Nurhuda Y, strongly condemned the brutal shootings carried out by the KKB against civilians and two preachers, namely Ustaz Daeng Marannu and Reverend Eliaser Baye. Moreover, the victims of atrocities are wrong, from ustaz to priests," said Nurhuda to reporters, Tuesday, July 19.

Nurhuda asked the government to coordinate with the TNI, Polri, and BIN to handle the problem. According to him, preachers must receive protection from acts of violence in conflict areas.

"We encourage the Ministry of Religion to coordinate with the TNI, Polri and BIN so that preachers in conflict areas get protection from unexpected threats like this," said the PKB politician.

Nurhuda assessed that it is important to collect data on preachers in conflict areas. The government, he said, must also have guidelines or strategies to protect preachers in conflict areas.

"Data is important so that it is known who must be protected. But no less important is the government's strategy to protect preachers in conflict areas," he said.

Not only from the government, Nurhadi also asked the Religious Harmony Communication Forum (FKUB) and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to be involved in dealing with the conflict in Papua. According to him, preachers in conflict areas are wary of an attack at any time.

"These preachers are worried, their security is threatened. Although they are not specifically targeting the preachers, in fact they are victims," said Nurhadi.