HKBP attack uncivilized: PAN
Hans David Tampubolon, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 09/17/2010 4:42 PM
The National Mandate Party (PAN) condemned on Friday the attack on Batak Protestant Church (HKBP) leaders in Ciketing, Bekasi, saying it was a violation of and an uncivilized act towards the nation’s values of pluralism.
“We urge the government to get into the bottom behind any violent act in the name of religion. Principally, PAN supports any effort to strengthen the Constitutional mandate that ensures religious freedom and practices,” PAN political communication department head Bima Arya Sugiarto told a press conference at the House of Representatives on Friday.
Bima’s colleague, Bara Hasibuan, told the same media conference that there was a need for a stronger legal instrument to protect freedom of religion and freedom to practice religious teachings.
Demands have mounted on the government to revoke a 2006 joint ministerial decree on house of worship, which is deemed as restricting freedom of religion of minority groups.
