SBY condemns church attacks, orders legal action

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono condemned the Tuesday attacks against three churches and the court building in Temanggung, Central Java, and ordered legal actions to be taken against the perpetrators.

The statements were conveyed to the media by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto.

Djoko said the President had ordered the Central Java Police to find the perpetrators.

“The President also instructs that legal actions be taken against the perpetrators of the anarchical acts,” he said in Jakarta, as quoted by Antara.

Djoko dismissed critics saying the state had failed to protect minority groups, saying the government did not tolerate violent actions against any Indonesian citizens, whatever the reason.

The attacks on the churches and the court building came after a court hearing against defendant Antonius Richmond Bawengan, who faced charges of up to five years in prison for alleged blasphemy against Islam written in books and articles he published in October 2010.