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W. Java Governor to skip anti-Shia declaration
West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan said on Thursday that he would not accept an invitation to attend the declaration of the Anti-Shia National Alliance to be held at Al Fajr Mosque in Bandung on Sunday
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est Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan said on Thursday that he would not accept an invitation to attend the declaration of the Anti-Shia National Alliance to be held at Al Fajr Mosque in Bandung on Sunday.
'I must have an attitude to build harmony among West Java residents, thus [my stance] is not to attend,' Heryawan said on Thursday.
The event's organizing committee has hung banners and posters in various places, claiming that the event will be attended by 100 ulema from across the country. The committee said there were 12 clerics who would preach at the declaration and that Heryawan would attend the event.
The West Java governor said that he could not prevent the public from sending him the invitation. 'Each resident has the righs to send an invitation but I will not attend,' he said.
However, Heryawan stopped short of denouncing the event.
'The aspiration is the right of the citizens as long as there are no disturbances. Freedom of expression is welcomed, of course there is no prohibition,' he said.
Meanwhile, West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Mochamad Iriawan said he had not received any information related to the event.
'There has been no permission yet. If there is no permit, [we will respond] accordingly to applicable rules,' Iriawan said.
When asked whether the police would allow a potentially hate-inciting event to take place, Iriawan said: 'We will assess [the matter] first.' (put/nvn)
