Religious Leaders in Papua Condemn KKB Attacks on Pastors and Ustad

The attack on the Papuan Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in the Nduga region which killed 13 civilians, including Pastor Elias Serbaye and Ustad Daeng Marannu, drew criticism from local religious leaders. One of them is the Chairperson of the Indonesian Gospel Camp Church (GKII) Fellowship, Pastor Petrus Bonyadone, who deeply regrets the sad event.

"We regret that there are casualties, civil society including religious leaders, namely priests and Ustadz, this is a crime case," said Petrus to reporters, Monday (25/7/2022).
 
According to Petrus, pastors work and serve people by being in the midst of society without having any particular interests. They should be protected, not victimized, like the figure of Reverend Elias Serbaye who is a native of Nduga.

"He defended civilians, he defended the brothers from outside who became victims. We, the church, have been neutral, we embrace all parties and have no interest whatsoever. But what we regret is why we became victims, we are very sorry that. The late Reverend Elias Serbaye was not really someone else, because he was still one tribe and one region," he said.

"Clearly, we hope that this case will get serious attention. This is a criminal case that must be handled seriously by the authorities, so that in the future there will be no more similar cases," continued Petrus.

Furthermore, all parties are expected to work together to resolve the case. Starting from traditional and religious leaders, to the government as well as TNI-Polri officers.

"I personally see that this may need to be given a special space for the local government and security forces to investigate properly. And take firm action against the perpetrators, because this incident has a wide impact on the community and everything can be hampered," Petrus emphasized.

The police said that Ustaz Daeng Marannu, who was a preacher at the Kenyam Mosque, Nogolait Village, Nduga Regency, Papua, was also one of the victims who died during the attack by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB).

The Head of Public Relations of the Papuan Police, Kombes Ahmad Mustofa Kamal, said that the incident occurred on Saturday, July 16, 2022 in the morning. He and nine other people died in the KKB attack led by Egianus Kogoya.

"Besides Ustaz Daeng Marannu, Pastor Eliaser Banner was also a victim of the shooting. He was shot when breaking up the persecution by the KKB," said Kamal in his statement, Sunday (17/7/2022).

According to Kamal, Ustaz Daeng Marannu last performed his service by giving an Eid al-Adha sermon on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at the Kenyam Mosque. The attack on the Papuan KKB also raised the concerns of a number of parties, such as local religious leaders who strongly condemned the atrocities.

So far, the situation in Nogolait Village has gradually become conducive. Officials are on standby at the location to guard, and anticipate things that are not wanted.

"There are already members on guard, and this case is still under investigation. We and related parties will try our best to catch the perpetrators so that they can be tried in accordance with applicable law," said Kamal.

SOURCE : https://www.liputan6.com/news/read/5023939/figure-agama-di-papua-kecam-penyerangan-kkb-ke-pendeta-dan-ustad