SBY accused of lying for failure to protect minorities

JAKARTA. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has again been accused of lying in regard to purported efforts to uphold pluralism and freedom of religion in Indonesia, highlighted by the government’s recent failures to protect minority groups from violent attacks by hardline groups.

In a press statement released Tuesday, the Setara Institute, a non-governmental organization, condemned the Tuesday attacks on three churches and the court building of the Central Java town of Temanggung.

The attacks came after a court hearing against defendant Antonius Richmond Bawengan, charged with up to five years in prison for alleged blasphemy against Islam in books and articles he published in October 2010.

“Throughout 2010, the Setara Institute recorded 75 infringements of the freedom of religion, 59 of which were in the form of attacks against houses of worship, attempts to destroy them and ban their construction,” the statement reads.

The figure was a significant increase compared to 17 cases involving Christians in 2008, and 18 cases in 2009.

“The state should not keep its mouth shut seeing this intolerance and violence supported by organizations upholding intolerant aspirations ... This is clear proof of the lies of the SBY administration,” it said.

The interfaith group urged the government to take legal action against hard-line Islamic groups “who are always at the forefront of the destructive activities”. (The Jakarta Post)