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group calling itself the Anti-Shia National Alliance (Annas) on Sunday declared the establishment of 17 branches in Purwakarta regency, West Java, despite opposition from the local regent.

In a meeting attended by at least 150 people in a hall of the state-owned Indonesian Education University in Purwakarta, Annas chairman Athian Ali inaugurated the organization'€™s chapters.

Purwakarta Regent Dedi Mulyadi, who did not attend or send a representative to the event, said, '€œOn principle, I did not attend, nor did I send a delegate. My stance as regent is that intolerance is destructive to the democratic process and the dignity of a nation,'€ Dedi told The Jakarta Post.

However, he accepted that the event took place in a context of freedom of opinion and expression.

'€œIt'€™s fine to have differing opinions, but the right to express an opinion does not entail attacking those who hold a different opinion,'€ said Dedi, who earlier issued a circular guaranteeing freedom of worship in Purwakarta.

Religious tensions have long run high in the province, and last month, Bogor Mayor Bima Arya issued a
circular instructing all Shiites in Bogor to refrain from celebrating Asyura Day.

Dedi said he would take stern action against Annas if it disrupted the worship of adherents to faiths or denominations other than its own.

'€œThe Shia movement has long existed in Purwakarta, and there has never been any problem. I understand the culture of the community in Purwakarta,'€ said Dedi, insisting that his administration would not allow hate speech.

'€œ[Annas] is just installing chapters internally. They told us they would not cause a disturbance. This is the dynamic of a region. Some don'€™t like the Shiites '€” that'€™s fine, as long as their worship is not disrupted,'€
said Dedi.

Purwakarta Regency Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Trunoyudo Wisnu said the force had issued permission for the event. '€œThe event may go ahead. Those who are anti-Shia are from a legal body structurally. The event itself is a religious moral movement,'€ said Trunoyudo.

When asked about the connection between the regent'€™s circular and the event, Trunoyudo said he had held a meeting with clerics and organizers.

During the meeting, he said, all parties had agreed to refrain from disorder and anarchy.

Trunoyudo added that he had also ensured the event would not include hate speech.

Earlier, National Police Chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti issued a circular on hate speech stipulating that all police officers must study all forms of hate speech to be able to prevent social conflict and identify violations of hate-speech laws in campaign speeches, on posters, on social media, in religious sermons, in mass media, at demonstrations and in pamphlets.

Separately, Indonesia Jamaah Ahlulbait Society (IJABI) chair Syamsuddin Baharuddin asked the government to stress the difference between freedom of expression and opinion and the spreading of hate. IJABI is a mass organization whose members follow Shia teachings.

'€œOur country must guarantee all citizens'€™ freedom of faith and religion, without exception. However, freedom of religion is not the same as freedom to spread hate.  Everyone is allowed to express his or her faith as long as they don'€™t abuse the law or public order. From what we'€™ve seen, [Annas] spreads hatred and slander,'€ Syamsuddin said.