Punish Ahmadiyah attackers: Watchdog

 JAKARTA: The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) demanded Monday that the government take legal action against perpetrators recent attacks on followers of the Ahmadiyah sect.

 Taufik Basari, YLBHI’s legal advocacy director, said the government needed to act soon or the oppression of minority groups would worsen.

 “Just like any other citizens, Ahmadiyah followers have the right to state protection,” Taufik said in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post.

 The latest incident occurred on Oct. 25 in Kuningan, West Java, when a mob attacked mosques and homes belonging to Ahmadiyah members. Similar incidents have occurred in Bogor and Lombok.

 The attacks began after the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) declared Ahmadiyah heretical because the sect does not recognize Muhammad as the last prophet. But MUI leaders have denied allegations that they have condoned the use of violence against Ahmadiyah followers, of which there are around 200,000. — JP

Golkar may recall two legislators

JAKARTA: The Golkar Party may recall two legislators because of their scathing criticism of party chief Agung Laksono’s recent Ramadhan speaking tour of Java.
Golkar deputy leader Burhanuddin Napitupulu said on Sunday the party was considering withdrawing Akil Muchtar and Agun Gunandja Sudarsa from the House of Representatives.
“We are still collecting documents on their past performance. We will decide their fate on Tuesday — whether they will receive an administrative punishment, warnings, or a recall,” he told The Jakarta Post.
Akil and Agun have accused Agung of misusing state facilities by taking a bus belonging to the House on his tour. They have also accused him of violating internal House rules by leaving Jakarta while the House was still in session. — JP