HKBP - POGOT RESSORT MANYAR JL. SIDOTOP WETAN INDAH II NO. 62 - 64 SURABAYA ----------------------------------------------- No. D.18/R06/H02/19/VI/96 Encl. : - Subject: The Cronological Report of the Vandalism of the Church and its Equipments and the Congregation' losses Dear Mr. Director General of Protestant Christian Advisoty Council The Department of Religion Affairs Jakarta Dear Sir, We, Reverend of HKBP (the Batak Protestant Christian Church) and the Chairman of the Ministry of HKBO - POGOT would like to report the following matters: We, the congregation of HKBP - POGOT were having the Sunday service at the 09.30 am WIB (the West Indonesian Time) on 9th June, 1996. Having received the news at 10.45 am about the vandalism at Church CAHAYA KASIH, one of our congregation members asked for a help to police via a hand phone. Before they arrived, however, the mass arrived at Church HKBP - POGOT at 11.45 WIB and suddenly vandalised the church. There were around 1,200 vandalists. The first group consisted of 300 people in which the majority are children and 10 minutes later the second group that consist of 400 ttenagers arrived whiole the rests are adult. They at first threw at the glasses and the church's roof from outside until they were damaged. The second group that arrived later forced the gate so that all vandalists came in with wooden clubs and crowbars at their hands; they beat all window glasses and destroyed the doors. They also destroyed everything in the church including congregation's book, that are Bibles and Song Books. As the consequence, the church documents cannot be used any longer. One of our congregation members tried to stop them by saying 'it is enough, enough, everything has been destroyed', but, as a consequence, he was beaten on his head and attacked by overwhelming numbers of the vandalists. They held up a wallet that belong to one of our congregation members with Rp300,000,- notes in it. The also beat Mrs. Aritonang (his wife) on her head and held up her bag with Rp100,000,- notes, a Seiko golden-chain whatch, and r Rodenstock golden-shaft glasses. All elders' belongings that were left in the church vestry were gone; they were glasses and jackets. Everything has been destroyed within a very short time. The situation strated to be under control after the security came at 12.30 WIB. The approximate losses that we can report so far are as follows: - 1 Yamaha organ, Rp5,500,000,- - 1 set of teakwood-made alter, Rp4,000,000,- - 3 collection boxes, Rp1,800,000,- - 1 gate, Rp75,000,- - 2 church doors, Rp600,000,- - 2 podium doors, Rp200,000,- - 10 bences, Rp3,000,000,- - 5 window frames, Rp500,000,- - 5 sheets of the church roof asbestos, Rp250,000,- - 2 partitions, Rp50,000,- - 4 sets of collection bags, Rp50,000,- - 1 fan, Rp20,000,- - 1 clock, Rp20,000,- - 2 cars at their bodies and glasses, and also the tape recorders and equipments, Rp6,000,000,- - 1 motorbike, Rp1,000,000,- Documents, 60 Bibles, and 60 Song Books, Rp1,200,000,- - 1 set of service equipments, Rp400,000,- We thank your for your attention and cooperation. Surabaya, 11th June 1996 The Ressorct Reverend, The Chairman of Ministry CC: 1. Governor of East Java 2. Regional Army Commander V Brawijaya 3. Regional Police Chief Officer of East Java 4. Mayor of Surabaya 5. The Chairman of the Department of Religion Affairs of East Java 6. Ressort Police Chief Officer of Eastern Surabaya 7. Sub-District Army Commander of Eastern Surabaya 8. Sub-District Police Chief of Kenjeran 9. Staff Head of Sub-District Army of Sukolilo 10.Head of the Sub-District of Kenjeran 11.Head of Village of East Sidotopo HKBP - POGOT RESSORT MANYAR JL. SIDOTOPO WETAN INDAH II NO. 62 - 64 SURABAYA --------------------------------------------------------- No. D.18/R.06/H.02/20/VI/96 Encl.: - Subject: The plead for security To: Police Ressort Chief Officer of Eastern Surabaya Sub-District Army Commander of Eastern Surabaya Dear Sirs, As you might have been aware, a disgraceful vandalism of the church, the attack on the congregation, and the robbery of the members of HKBP (the Batak Protestant Christian Church) - POGOT have taken place and hence caused the members of the congregation be despressed and trauma. Therefore, with all aour modesty, we plead with you for security to our church, especially at service days in the future. We are very grateful for all your attention and cooperation. Surabaya, 11th June 1996 Ressort Reverend, The Chairman of Ministry