Mathias Hariyadi

Two judgments of the Administrative Court of Bandung and the Supreme Court had ruled that the place of worship had necessary construction permits. The authorities ordered the closure, because of fundamentalist protests. From January 10 Protestant churches and one Catholic have halted celebrations.

Enal Tao, 38, topped the country’s most wanted list. He is believed to have favoured recruiting and training Indonesian extremists in southern Philippines. Police arrest four more terrorists in Banda Aceh; seize documents and computers with information about the group’s activities.

Extremist group is blamed for the 2004 Australian Embassy attack and the 2007 Marriot Hotel bombing. Police sources say terrorists were planning to attack the president’s private residence. Two suspects were able to escape. Women are now joining the jihad.

The 7.8 quake causes panic among residents in Aceh Province, still recovering from the devastating 2004 tsunami. In Sinabang Island, near the epicentre, thousands of people flee into the hills fearing a repeat of the tsunami disaster. Authorities call off early tsunami warning.

Court rulings help Christian communities build their churches. Administrative courts tend to overturn decisions by municipal authorities taken to appease Muslim extremists who want to stop the construction of churches and other Christian places of worship. Extremist mobs stop Good Friday services in West Java.

Elected as the new leader of the organisation, Sais Agil Siradj wants to promote basic education and social and economic assistance for everyone. He reiterates his organisation’s commitment to the fight against terrorism and to openness towards minorities and other religions.

A group of 60 Islamic extremists surrounded the hotel that hosted the event authorized by local authorities, demanding its cancellation. To ensure the safety of foreigners, the police asked the more than 200 participants to stay at the hotel until the end of disorder.

Enceng Kurnia topped the list of Indonesia’s most wanted. He was mentor to Imam Samudra, one of the Bali bombers, and has been linked to an extremist involved in the 2004 Australian Embassy attack in Jakarta. Ten terrorists have died so far in the latest anti-terror unit operation. Indonesian authorities beef up securities measures ahead of Barack Obama’s official visit.

Muhammadiyah, the second largest Muslim organization in the country for followers, declares that smoking is "haram" morally wrong. It leads to unhealthy lifestyles, weakens and pushes frustrated people to suicide. Tobacco industry, a major economic resource at risk.

Security forces carry out an operation in the Pamulang area, on the outskirts of the capital. Dulmatin, a terrorist nicknamed “The Genius”, is thought to be among them. Trained in Afghanistan, he was active throughout South-East Asia. The Indonesian government toughens its anti-terror campaign a few days before an official visit by Barak Obama. Hard-line Muslims attack the US leader, not a true friend of Islam.

Parliament calls for a commission of inquiry to verify possible irregularities in the US$ 716 bailout. Golkar calls for the resignation of the vice president and the finance minister. The clash is symptomatic of a wider conflict between reformers who want to fight corruption and strong vested interests. Catholics hope to see “transparency” prevail.

After days of searching, police and anti-terrorism forces identified an armed group in the forests of Aceh. After a shootout, they arrested 15 people. The police fear an imminent attack by Islamic terrorists.