TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The special investigation team (TTR) of the Sampang conflict announced the best solution is to return the Shia community back home to Sampang in Madura. However, the team also discovered indications that the Sampang community is still resistant towards the presence of the Shia believers.
"Before returning home, it must be confirmed that the Sampang community can accept the people of Shia," said TTR leader Masruchach yesterday.
The Shia Sampang community was driven away from their homes following an attack by other members of the community on August 26, 2012. They were then evacuated to the Wijaya Kusuma sports building in Sampang. Last June, they were chased away a second time and moved to a low-cost apartment building in Sidoarjo, East Java.
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), National Commission on Women’s Rights (Komnas Perempuan), National Commission on Child Protection (Komnas Anak), and the Witness and Victim Protection Institute (LPSK) then formed a special team for findings and recommendations on the Shia Sampang conflict in 2012. Masruchach says her team discovered that based on an 11-month observation, the Shia community strongly intends to return home to Sampang.
Religious leaders in Sampang vowed to accept the Shia community as long as they can unite with the people. The team also discovered that the local administration is prepared to facilitate a reconciliation and rehabilitation. However, the administration will not deal with religious matters such as redemption. Meanwhile, the central government is prepared to help their physical rehabilitation.
The reconciliation team plans to have the Shia community meet with religious leaders in Sampang in September to have talks on the next step to be taken towards the return of the Shia community back home to Sampang.
KHAIRUL ANAM
