Indonesia's largest Islamic organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, on Wednesday condemned Tuesday's bombing at the JW Marriot Hotel that killed at least 10 people and injured hundreds of others. The chiefs of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah organizations said in a joint press conference that the bombing had not only hurt the people at the scene of the bombing but also the whole nation.
| Betcha they didn't condemn shieking, spittle-spewing clerics who call for slaughtering infidels, though... |
NU Chief Hasyim Muzadi said the bombing had not only hurt physically but also economically, politically, culturally and the country's image in the world. "Therefore, the perpertrator(s) are not only the enemy of the security agencies but of the whole nation," he said.
Muhammadiyah chairman Syafii Maarif meanwhile reminded the security agencies not to be complacent in dealing with the case following their success in solving the Bali bombings. "Several other bombing cases have also not yet been uncovered," he said. While admitting that it was difficult to predict when and where a bombing would occur, he said the security agencies had been too slow or weak in anticipating possible terrorist action. He urged the authorities to increase their intenlligence operations to unveil the case. To all people he appealed not to make any speculation regarding the parties that might have been behind it and to wait for the results of police investigation.
| "Now, don't go jumping to conclusions. It might not have been beturbanned explosives enthusiasts. I coulda been... ummm... somebody else." |
Syafii said that the police as well as the military should forget politics and concentrate on defense and security affairs. About a reported offer from the US to help in the investigations into the case, both Muzadi and Safii advised the Indonesian authorities not to rely on other countries. "Even without US help the bombing must be uncovered. Any help must not reduce the credibility of the Indonesian government," Hasyim said.
| "We don't need no infidels over here, sniffin' around our wimmin!" |
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