CHRONOLOGY OF THE CIKEUSIK INCIDENT
Umbulan Village, Cikeusik Sub-District, Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province Sunday, 6 February 2011

 

Friday, 4 February 2011
Reports have been made to the local Police regarding a plan to ‘sweep’ Ahmadiya followers at the house of Mr. Suparman (an Ahmadiya member) by unconfirmed parties. Based on those reports, the local police assisted by local community and religious leaders have tried, through persuasive means, to dissuade the plan. However, it did not work.

Saturday, 5 February 2011
Police brought Mr. Suparman, his wife and Mr. Tetep (Head of Ahmadiya Youths of Cikeusik) to the Pandeglang Police Station.
In the meantime, 25 Ahmadiya members, most of which are elders and children, were evacuated to Suparman’s family house which was an hour away from Cikeusik in order to avoid  a conflict.

Sunday, 6 February 2011
Around 0800 AM: 18 Ahmadiya youths from Jakarta and Serang plus 3 more local Ahmadiya arrived in Cikeusik to beef up security for the Ahmadiya congregation still residing in Cikeusik. At the same time, six police officers have arrived on location.
09.00 AM: Additional Police reinforcements arrived in two riot-control trucks and one pick-up van. The Police asked for all Ahmadiyah members in Umbulan Village to leave immediately and not to fight back if there is any attack. However, they refused to leave.
At 1000 AM: 1,500 people arrived from the North to the Umbulan Village. A conflict broke out between the incoming masses and the Ahmadiya members. The Police tried to pacify and control the masses but was ignored and even threatened. This conflict left three Ahmadiya members dead and five more seriously injured.
Additional reinforcement of four companies of police officers arrived late on the scene and secured the area. This late arrival was due to the remoteness of location of Cikeusik and the distance needs to be travelled to go there.
Evening: A coordination meeting held on the evening of the day of the incident, involving the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal and Security Affairs, the Chief of National Police, the Attorney General, the Minister for Religious Affairs and the Minister of Home Affairs issued among others the following points:

  • The Government condemns the violence in Cikeusik;
  • The Government calls on the people to avoid violence against Ahmadiyah;
  • The Government calls on the people to report any disputes to the Faith Supervisory Coordinating Team;
  • The need for early detection on potential violence;
  • A call for religious leaders and local leaders to create conducive atmosphere.

2000 PM: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, through his spokeperson, stated his deep concern about the incident and has instructed the Chief of Police and the Minister for Religious Affairs to visit Cikeusik on a fact-finding mission.

Monday, 7 February 2011
In a press conference, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has publicly condemned the incident and stated that he could not condone such a violent. He went further stating that the resort to violence abusing religious teaching is unacceptable. The President also instructed a thorough and comprehensive investigation to bring to justice the wrong-doers, whoever they maybe.
Statements of concern and condemnation were also issued by many political parties, religious and community organisations, NGOs and other civic leaders.
A special team, headed by the Deputy Chief of National Police, was formed to investigate this incident. The Police reported that they have identified several suspects and were pursuing them. Eight people were questioned and investigations are ongoing.
A group of NGOs questioned the performance of the Police during the incident and in protecting the rights of minorities.

Tuesday, 8 February 2011
The National Commission on Human Rights formed a special team to investigate the Cikeusik incident.
An internal investigation team of the National Police, headed by the Inspector General of the National Police, reviewed the performance of the Banten Regency Police related to the incident.

Wednesday, 9 February 2011
A suspect, seen on the day of the incident with a bamboo stick, was arrested by the Police. The Police were also interviewing 15 witnesses to this incident.

Friday, 11 February 2011
The Chief of National Police has relieved the Chief of Banten Provincial Police, Police Brigadier General Agus Kusnadi, Director for Intelligence and Security of the Banten Regency Police, Police Grand Commissioner Adityawarman and Chief of Pandeglang Regency Police, Police Adjutant Grand Commisioner Fauzy Rasyad, of their respective commands. This step was taken due to the local police’s under-performance and their failure to prevent the incident.

Monday, 14 February 2011
Five suspects have been named and are being pursued by the Police. A total of eight people were under Police custody.

Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Commission VIII of the DPR (Indonesian Parliament) conducted hearing on the Ahmadiya issue and Cikeusik incident, inviting religious leaders, NGOs, and civic leaders.
Two more suspects, considered to be masterminds of the incident, have been apprehended by the Police.

Thursday, 17 February 2011
During a Cabinet meeting, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono instructed his ministers to hold talks with religious leaders, human rights activists and the Ahmadis to find the best solution to end the recurring conflicts.

Saturday, 19 February 2011
A total of nine people have been named as suspects by the Indonesian Police.  

Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Seven police officers, suspected of misconduct and negligence, have been examined by the Police’s internal review division.

Friday, 25 February 2010

The police have arrested another suspect in the Cikeusik case that occurred earlier this month. The police thus far have arrested 10 suspects and are pursuing four others.

 

**** compiled from various sources****