Police, Ansor committed to tackling intolerance

Jombang, NU Online
Jombang police along with the Ansor Youth Movement were committed to continuing to anticipate and be aware of possible intolerance in the so-called Kota Santri.

Jombang Police Chief Agung Marlianto said that diversity in Indonesia had become a necessity, but on the other side "it has not been accepted by the community as a whole, so that a cautious attitude toward any individual or group that could not accept it is a must."

"It could potentially create disturbance to social security," he said on the sidelines of a religious gathering held at the headquarters of Jombang police recently.

Agung then told a wise attitude of the late KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) in his lifetime to one of the Banser members for being still hesitant to provide security when one of the churches held an event.

"When a Banser member still hesitant to keep the church asked Gus Dur, then Gus Dur answered firmly, if there is little doubt in your heart, think that what you keep is not a church, but Indonesia. Or at least think, that what you keep is your city. What you keep is your homeland. For any disturbance in your homeland will certainly have an impact," he said.

He hoped the attitude could be a concrete example for any individual, group or community organizations (CSOs), particularly in Jombang for mutual respect for differences as a representation of diversity.

Separately, chairman of Ansor Jombang H Zulfikar Damam Ikhwanto explained more about intolerance committed by certain groups, especially in undermining the the 1945 Constitution and the Unitary State of Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

According to him, freedom of religion and to practice the religion and beliefs of each in accordance with the 1945 Constitution have irresponsibly been used to commit acts of intolerance such issues as ethnicity, religion, race, and inter-group relations (SARA). (Syamsul Arifin/Masdar)