Indonesia: US Representatives Question SBY over Ahmadiyah Attacks

"Religious tolerance is something that he feels strongly about and we share that concern. We deal with extremism in the United States on a regular basis."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Globe
By Camelia Pasandaran | February 23, 2011

United States Congress representatives visiting Jakarta on Wednesday demanded an explanation from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the Ahmadiyah mob attack.

“The issue of Ahmadiyah was raised by my colleague [Jim] McDermott and we have a very healthy discussion about that,” said David Dreier, chairman of House Democracy Partnership, at a press conference. “Obviously, the rule of law is critical.”

He said Yudhoyono told him that the Indonesian government was continually committed to upholding the rule of law.


"Religious tolerance is something that he feels strongly about and we share that concern," Dreier said. "We deal with extremism in the United States on a regular basis."

Dreier noted a declined in religious tolerance in Indonesia. He said Yudhoyono told him that conflict existed between religions groups and that the issue needed to be addressed.

Teuku Faizasyah, the presidential spokesman for international affairs, said the Indonesian president explained the government's efforts to seek a win-win solution and outlined the 2008 ministerial agreement on Ahmadiyah.

"They understood and acknowledged that there was friction toward Ahmadiyah groups in other countries such as India and Pakistan," Teuku said.

"They appreciated that the government had taken steps, and the president confirmed that those resorting to violence would be dealt with through strict legal processes and without immunity."

In addition to discussing Ahmadiyah, the representatives and president talked about, among other topics, parliamentary development, women's rights, trade and environmental issues, Dreier said.

The representatives had visited Aceh earlier and were set to visit Surabaya tomorrow.

“We know that democracy and democratic representation is not just about what happens in the capital, but it is also about the relationship of the country to the government,” said David Price, the co-chairman of the partnership.




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