Tolikara Conflict Must be Settled Through Legal Process: VP Kalla

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The conflict that occurred on Friday, July 17, in Karubaga District, Tolikara, Papua, must be settled through legal steps, stated Indonesian Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla.

"The dispute will not end if everyone continues to retaliate in other cities," the vice president noted here on Thursday in connection with the conflict.

Kalla affirmed that Indonesia has several laws in place, and all citizens must abide by them.

"We are a law-abiding state, and we must punish whoever violates the law," Kalla affirmed.

According to Kalla, all local regulations that are not in accordance with the laws and legislations implemented in Indonesia should be revoked.

The vice president stated that the incident was related to Tolikaras regulation on worship procedures.

"To gain approval to implement a local regulation, the proposal must be sent through the district chief to the governor and then to the central government through the Ministry of Interior Affairs. It will not be imposed if it is not approved by the central government," Kalla noted.

Earlier, Tolikara District Chief Usman Wanimbo confirmed the existence of local regulations that ban the construction of places of worship other than the Gospel Church in Indonesia (GIDI), as it was the first place of worship to be built in the area.

Any activities and places of worship that are allowed to exist in the Tolikara region are of the GIDI only.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo stated on Wednesday that he has not received any reports on local regulations governing worship procedures.

"Only about 70 regulations are still in place out of the 139 regulations that have been examined by the Ministry of Home Affairs. No single regulation is related to (ordinances of worship) religion in Tolikara," added Tjahjo. (WDY)