The case must be fully probed and the law must be enforced so that a similar incident will not occur again.
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Antara Foto/Andreas Fitri Atmoko
Police officers examine the scene of an attack at the Santa Lidwina Church in the Bedog area of Gamping district, Sleman regency, Yogyakarta, Sunday (11/2). Police have detained a suspect over the attack, in which an armed perpetrator wounded a pastor, a police officer and three churchgoers.
SLEMAN, KOMPAS — The public has been told not to be provoked by the attack on Sunday (11/2) at Santa Lidwina Church in Bedog, Sleman regency, Yogyakarta. The case must be fully probed and the law must be enforced so that a similar incident will not occur again.
“The case must be investigated professionally so that it will not be repeated. As a member of society, we must maintain a life of peace,” said Semarang Archbishop Robertus Rubiyatmoko after visiting the victims on Sunday night at Panti Rapih Hospital in Yogyakarta.
Former Muhammadiyah chairman Ahmad Syafii Maarif also condemned the attack at Santa Lidwina Church. He immediately visited the church, which is near his home. “This must be traced. We must find out who did it, and find out if there is a group behind it or if the attack was carried out by an individual. I believe the police understand the situation. The police must take action,” said Syafii Maarif.
Semarang Archdiocese justice and peace commission chairman FX Endra Wijayanto said the incident must be investigated and the perpetrator must be brought to court to be tried. The state apparatus and public servants must take swift action to create an effective system to prevent similar violence from occurring.
Indonesian Ulema Council advisory council chairman Din Syamsuddin voiced a similar concern. “I extend my sympathy to the families of the victims. We strongly condemn the attack, which was an act of uncivilized intolerance,” he said. Din called on law enforcement personnel to be serious in probing the case.
University of Indonesia guest professor Peter BR Carey in Lebak regency, Banten, said the attack showed the country was in need of strong leadership. Law enforcement personnel, regional heads and religious leaders needed to take strict action to prevent the terror act from being repeated.
The attack at Santa Lidwina Church occurred on Sunday at around 7:30 a.m. when the congregation was attending mass. A man entered the church armed with a sword. In addition to attacking the congregation, the perpetrator also attacked Pastor Karl-Edmund Prier, who was leading the mass.
When the police arrived, the perpetrator, who was identified as Suliono, turned and attacked the police. The police shot his legs.
Five people were injured in the attack: Karl-Edmund Prier, Adj. First Insp. Munir and three members of the congregation, Budijono, Yohanes Triyanto and Martinus Parmadi Subiantoro. Until Sunday night, Pastor Prier, Budijono and Yohanes were still being treated. The two others had been discharged from the hospital.
Yogyakarta Governor Hamengkubuwono X expressed his hope that the public would not react to the incident. The regional administration and residents were told to be cautious over potential violence or acts of intolerance in the future.
“I am deeply sad and concerned why this incident has occurred in Yogyakarta. I do not understand why there is this inhumane act,” he said.
The Governor-Sultan apologized to the victims and all Catholics over the attack, and assured the freedom of worship in Yogyakarta.
The Gusdurian Network condemned all acts of intolerance in the form of violence and coercion against all followers of religions. “Security and freedom of worship are basic rights for all Indonesian citizens. Violating these rights is not acceptable,” Alissa Wahid, the Gusdurian Network coordinator, said in Jakarta.
Under investigation
Yogyakarta Police chief Brig. Gen. Ahmad Dofiri said the police were investigating the motive behind the attack. Suliono is from Banyuwangi, East Java, and is being treated at Bhayangkara Hospital in Sleman.
Mubarok, the former head of Kandangan village and Suliono’s neighbor, recalled the perpetrator as an individual who was diligent in observing prayers and was a student at an Islamic boarding school. However, the third child of four in the family of Mistadji and Edi Susiyah had a different understanding of religious teachings.
National Police Criminal Investigation head Comr. Gen. Ari Dono Sukmanto said during his visit to the scene that the investigation into the case involved the anti-terror squad, Densus 88.
On the same occasion, House Speaker Bambang Soesatyo condemned the attack at Santa Lidwina Church and called on the people not to be provoked. “The harmony among religious followers is in a relatively good condition. Do not disrupt it by raising conflict among the followers of different religions,” he said.
