University of Indonesia (UI) has set up Abdurrahman Wahid Center (AWC) to serve as a forum to discuss issues related to democracy, global peace and social conflict.
JakartaPost:
The government needs to show its authority and power in their actions toward religious violence carried out by radical organizations, otherwise minority groups will remain the victims of repeated hostility.
A number of activists who promote pluralism have called on the government to adopt tough measures against radical groups.
Ulil Abshar Abdalla, Muslim scholar and Democratic Party leader, said the government was not stern enough in dealing with intolerant groups. This had made those groups think their actions were justified, he said.
“I am a Democratic Party member, but I am disappointed in Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s administration in dealing with cases of violence against minority groups,” Ulil said during the opening of the Abdurrahman Wahid Center at the University of Indonesia in Depok on Wednesday.