Religious intolerance is getting worse here, with state agencies, radical groups and community organizations involved in violations of freedom of faith and religion, according to a report re-leased Tuesday. The recent sealing of the synagogue in Surabaya, East Java, by Muslims in a protest against the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip was the latest case of religious intolerance in Indonesia.

Your comments:

What is scary is the government's new anti-porn law that puts power in the hands of the people to "deal with" indecency. This means that religious organizations can do what they want and a group of men can force a woman to cover up.

SARASWATI

What has happened to the Bhineka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity)? And state ideology Pancasila? I believe Indonesia has been hijacked by the fundamentalists as well as those who try to impose Islam on others. I come from a family with a moderate Islam, Christian and Judaic background, where we embrace and celebrate our diversities. I hope one day my beloved homeland can return to its roots of tolerance, as it was in the 60s and 70s.

DANIEL EMERSON

I think law enforcement is the best solution for these cases. The government must play their role by implementing the law seriously and punishing the offenders.

D. HANUH

Protesters throw rotten eggs -- Jan. 16, Online

Dozens of members of the Majelis Mujahiddin and Laskar Mujahiddin organizations threw rotten eggs at a Western fast-food restaurant in an anti-Israeli rally in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, on Friday.

Your comments:

Oh, I despair. There really are a frighteningly large number of people in the world with more limbs than brain cells.

DAVID

Jakarta

Are you kidding? How idiotic is this? Why don't these individuals put their energy into bettering themselves and their community? It's sickening to see how Jakarta and other cities are turning into cesspools of congested traffic, crime and poverty. Yet many groups and individuals focus on aspects of the world that does not better anybody! Seriously, what does this do? Little do individuals know that everybody is connected. Without the businesses and aid of other nations, not just the West, many jobs in Indonesia would be gone. Everybody is interde-pendent on somebody else, it's sad but true. Without the economy of several nations (and I'm not just talking about the West), the city of Jakarta and it's workers would be living in absolute poverty.

ALICE KOH

Pollution in Bali

If Bali is as polluted as described by Jim M. of Legian, Bali (The Jakarta Post, Jan 20, p. 22), I would agree with his idea to introduce and enforce strict anti-pollution laws, as well as edu-cating the citizens about the issue. Whoever is in charge of Bali should get in to touch with Jim for displaying such a keen sense of belonging. Thank you, Jim.

MOELJONO ADIKOESOEMO

Jakarta

Rights probe in Gaza -- Jan. 17, p. 14

Indonesia has asked the United Nations to immediately conduct an investigation into the alleged human rights violations committed by Israeli armed forces in Gaza, where hundreds of Pales-tinian civilians have died in a war it has deemed illegal.

Your comments:

We are the biggest Muslim democratic country in the world. We should have a role to play, with the United States, in helping to kick the Israeli military out of Gaza. Maybe we should also tell Hamas not to launch their rockets, which invites retaliation from Israel?

PRADHANA ADIMUKTI

Smooth renewal for driving license

I am a foreigner married to an Indonesian and a pensioner. Today we drove to the police center at Grogol, West Jakarta to renew my driving license. In the past I have used the services of an agent at the center but discovered that this was no longer allowed. Despite fearing the worst, my license renewal was processed in three quar-ters of an hour. Right through the process, the staff at the center were helpful and courteous; well done to you all. Why can't the immigration office provide a similar service when renewing my KITAS?

TERRY

Depok, West Java

Popular

Potential GoTo-Grab merger stirs concern over govt overreach

Third-quarter tin exports jump 25.8 percent on stronger output, higher prices

Batam airport expansion in limbo after WIKA withdraws