Agenzia Fides
MAKASSAR, Indonesia – “Now the situation on the streets of Makassar has normalized and is calm again, but until yesterday the protests agitated the population, especially the students. And violent groups have taken advantage of the opportunity to create chaos,” says the Archbishop of Makassar, Msgr Franciskus Nipa speaking to Fides, about the wave of violence shaking Indonesia, while the government in the capital, Jakarta, has deployed the army and increased security measures in other cities of the archipelago.
“In Makassar, in the south of the island of Sulawesi, there were three dead and several injured, unrest in the streets, and great fear among the population. The demonstrators set fire to the regional parliament building, a serious and, above all, symbolic protest against the government,” emphasizes the Archbishop.
Regarding the reasons for the protest, Archbishop Nipa points to “general dissatisfaction with the government.” “The salary increase for parliamentarians was a measure that caused uproar and outrage,” he emphasizes, “but there are issues such as corruption and tax increases in various sectors of economic life that have generated frustration and a sense of injustice, and above all, have caused difficulties for many groups of workers.” “The protests for justice and good governance” involve large sections of the population, “especially students and young people,” he explains. The killing of a demonstrator in Jakarta, a motorcycle taxi driver who was run over by an armored police vehicle, further exacerbated tensions.
“We reject all forms of violence and, as Indonesian Catholic bishops, have spread a message calling for peace and the choice of non-violent methods,” he reports. “We bishops call on the authorities, but also on the citizens, to work for peace, justice, and the democratic values of the nation,” he says. “Our position and our appeal are always focused on good governance so that it truly serves the common good,” he notes, reporting that he has addressed an appeal to the diocesan community, asking the faithful to “pray for peace.”
The statement from the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference states that “the protests reflect deep disappointment with senseless and unjust words, actions, and policies” and that “political decision-makers must embody the principles of Pancasila,” the charter of five principles that govern coexistence in society.
“We express our deep sorrow for our brothers and sisters who were injured or lost their lives while fighting for truth and justice and exercising the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution,” the bishops wrote, calling on the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government in Indonesia “to listen carefully to the people’s aspirations, act fairly and responsibly, and ensure transparent and accountable governance.”
While urging all citizens to “refrain from provocations and criminal acts that cause material damage, are harmful, and hinder fraternity and national unity,” the bishops also recall that the security forces must be “true protectors of all citizens.”
Meanwhile, the Forum of Indonesian Catholic Societies (FMKI) issued a statement condemning the killing of the motorcycle taxi driver as an “act of state violence” and calling for “respect for human rights and democratic principles.” (PA) – Agenzia Fides
