Yogyakarta Sultan Apologizes for Christian Cross Gravestone Case
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21 December 2018 14:55 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Keraton King and Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X offered his sincerest apology for the incident that happened in his region where a Christian cross wooden gravestone was partially sawn off.
“As the regional leader, I truly apologize to Miss Slamet and all of the deceased's relatives and also to the Yogyakarta pontiff and Paroki Church Kotagede that were affected by the incident,” said Sultan in a trembling voice at the Yogyakarta city hall on Thursday, December 20.
Read: Gov't React to Destroyed Christian Cross Symbol in Yogyakarta
The incident started when a group of locals requested the deceased family to partially cut the cross symbol that was placed on top of the final resting place of Catholic Albertus Slamet Sugiardi at the Jambon cemetery in Kotagede, Yogyakarta.
Sri Sultan asserts that Yogyakarta is still a tolerant city since prior to the incident, a deal was made between residents in order to maintain harmony. However, it was not in line with the constitution.
Read: Damaged Christian Cross in Yogyakarta and the Decay of Tolerance
Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono revealed that residents at the location worked hand-in-hand and provided help for the family of the deceased but that fact was eventually overshadowed ever since this issue went viral in social platforms and numerous mainstream media.
PRIBADI WICAKSONO (CONTRIBUTOR)
