300 TNI-Polri Members Stand By After Mass Damages Ahmadiyah Mosque In Sintang, West Kalimantan

The Sintang Regency Government has decided to stop the operational activities of a permanent place of worship belonging to the Indonesian Ahmadiyya Congregation (JAI) in Balai Harapan Village (ANTARA/HO Photo)

PONTIANAK - Head of Public Relations of the West Kalimantan Police, Kombes Donny Charles Go, said as many as 300 TNI and Polri personnel had secured the crime scene (TKP) for the destruction of a house of worship belonging to the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI) in Sintang Regency.

"Currently, about 300 combined TNI and Polri personnel are at the crime scene to keep things conducive," said Donny Charles Go, quoted by Antara, Friday, September 3.

He explained, in that incident, there were buildings that were damaged and burned by a crowd of about 200 people.

"There were no casualties in the incident and the mosque itself was damaged due to being thrown by the masses. Meanwhile, the building behind the mosque was burnt," he said.

He added that currently his party is focusing on securing the Ahmadiyah congregation, which consists of 72 people or 20 families and the mosque building.

"The situation is now under control, the masses have returned," he said.

Previously, the Head of the Communication and Information Office of Sintang Regency, Kurniawan, stated that the Regency Government had decided to permanently stop operational activities of the building of a place of worship belonging to the Indonesian Ahmadiyya Congregation (JAI) in Balai Harapan Village, Temunak District, Sintang.

"The permanent cessation of operational activities for the JAI's place of worship in Balai Harapan Village, Temunak District, is not only based on a letter from the Sintang Regent, but also at the direction of the Governor of West Kalimantan," he said.

He explained that the decision was also to maintain security, peace, order and community conduciveness in Balai Harapan Village.

"So it is also ordered to adherents or members of JAI to carry out what has been ordered above in any activity and form without the government's permission," he said.

The Sintang Regency Government guarantees JAI freedom to worship as long as it recognizes Islam, and in accordance with the provisions and joint decisions of the Minister of Religion, the Attorney General, and the Minister of Home Affairs Number 3/2008. Then Number: Kep-033/A/JA/6/2008, and Number 199/2008, concerning Warnings and Orders to Adherents, Members, and/or members of the JAI Management and Community Members.