Indonesia: Govt 'guarantees' safety of Shias

Jakarta, 31 Aug. (AKI/Jakarta Post) - Indonesian Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi has said that the government would not relocate Shia followers in Sampang, East Java, following Sunday’s fatal attack on the community but would instead guarantee their safety.

”If they want to stay there [at Karang Gayam and Bluuran villages in Sampang, East Java], then, we will help them rebuild their homes. We will guarantee their safety,” Gamawan said Thursday, commenting on the Shiite refugees.

Gamawan deplored various media reports stating that the government was ready to relocate the Shia compound after the incident that claimed the lives of two Shiites.

“There is news circulating that we are ready with a relocation plan. In fact, we have not decided our future plans,” he said.

Apart from taking two lives, the attack also left hundreds of Shiites homeless after their homes were destroyed by an angry mob. After the incident, 250 of the 500 Shiites were evacuated to a shelter located more than eight kilometers from their village. Dozens are still reportedly in hiding.

Instead of spreading unreliable information, Gamawan said that all parties should be concerned about the education of children affected by the attack. He said that the ministry and the East Java administration would jointly establish a temporary school in the shelter.

“We must ensure that those children can still continue their education,” he said