M

em>May 28, Online

The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) summoned Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam for comments he made against Catholic priest Franz Magnis Suseno via his Twitter account @dipoalam49. On May 21, Dipo criticized an open letter sent by Franz Magnis to the Appeal of Conscience Foundation (ACF) regarding its decision to honor President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono with the World Statesman Award for his outstanding achievement in upholding religious freedom.

'€œUmaro [leaders of the nation], ulema; and in general all Muslims in Indonesia have been good. So, let us look forward to the future. It'€™s not good [to see] their leader insulted by the non-Muslim FMS [Franz Magnis Suseno],'€ Dipo said via his Twitter handle.

According to Natalius, other public officials and wider society could follow his lead and this had the potential to disrupt interfaith relations in the country.

The commission, he said, had a right to summon people who potentially violated human rights as
stipulated in Law No. 39/1999 on human rights.

Your comments:

Well, at least we have President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as our leader that people like Franz Magnis Suseno can pin the blame on.

Indonesia is the only country that recognizes almost all religions. Try to find a country that can match it. If you find one, please let me know your bank account, I will send you thousands of US dollars. Besides, you seem to confuse Judaism as a state and as a religion.

Aloysius Mertokusumo

Dipo'€™s comments were unfounded and irresponsible. If anyone disagrees with the viewpoint of Father Frans, they must have a logical argument to support their views.

What exactly has the President done to encourage interfaith harmony? I still can'€™t think of anything.

Deedee S.

SBY is a failure. Corruption in the Democratic Party and his poor leadership style are the reason. No official '€” be it the police or regional leaders '€” takes any notice of what he says in his statements. His second term has been a disaster for Indonesia.

Quite simply, the people no longer respect him.

Indonesia has yet to have a great leader. I long for the time when a real statesman with integrity will wins the presidency and does the best for Indonesians.

The country has so much potential and the people deserve so much more from their government.

Simon

I recently paid a visit to Indonesia. I traveled from Jakarta to Bali by train and bus and visited many towns and cities on the route.

I experienced a lot of tolerance and understanding among all religious groups. President SBY is a real statesman and preserver of tolerance and understanding among all religions and ethnic groups.

His profound sincerity of the spirit, his freedom from hatred and malice, his humane, all embracing charity that he successfully put to the test in the policies of the country, deserve to be mentioned. He is convinced that all religions in his country deserve respect and recognition, just like Gandhi.

To find the truth is to realize oneself and one'€™s destiny. In other words, to become perfect, the President of Indonesia deserves to be awarded the World Statesman Award by the ACP.

Sears Appalsamy
Breda, the Netherlands

Local leaders do not take their cues from the President'€™s speeches nor do they abide by the Constitution, which is clear on the freedom of religion.

The results of such narrow-minded defiance, for sure, should be sanctioned and/or punished as provided for under constitutional law.

Sadly enough, as with so many other infringements of the laws that guarantee freedom of religion and cultural expressions, impunity is the norm.

Is it not the President as the head of the executive branch of government who should or rather must direct law enforcement to act accordingly and the legislative branch to ensure that his actions are in line with the law?

Neither happens and freedom of religion and cultural expression are only selectively allowed. Surely the President'€™s inactions do not warrant international recognition. Perhaps international stricture would be more appropriate?

Henry Manoe