Indonesia urges US to be more sensitive over anti-Muslim movie

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, WASHINGTON DC - Indonesia urges US to be more concerned over anti-Muslim movie 'Innocence of Muslims' that insults Prophet Muhammad. The film, uploaded in Youtube, was directed by an American identified as Nakoula Basseley Nakoula or known as Sam Bacile.

Indonesian Ambassador to US Dino Patti Djalal visited White House and US State Department in Washington DC on Monday to talk about the matter. Dino said the film, made in US, offended Muslim and defamed Prophet Muhammad.

"Indonesia asked US government to take a firm stance and action on the case," Dino said.

At the White House, Dino met with Senior Director National Security Council Daniel Russel, while at the State Department, he was welcomed by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joseph Y Yun. Dino emphasized that democracy in US might have its own form, but in Indonesia people could not insult the Prophet Muhammad despite they had the freedom of expression.

Both US representatives said to Dino that the film only represented one individual and did not represent the US. "We highlight that the US must take firm action in the future to repress any responds," Dino said.

The film, depicted Prophet Muhammad as fraud and womanizer, has triggered protests in Muslim countries, such as Indonesia, Egypt, and Libya. US Ambassador to Libya John Christopher Stevens were killed during the violent demonstration at the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya. In Indonesia, the demonstration held on Monday in front of the US Embassy turned violent. The police was forced to release tear gas and fire water cannons. Several people reportedly got injured.

The Chairman of Indonesian Delegation at ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Priyo Budi Santoso said Indonesia condemned the film causing the instability in several countries. Director of the Wahid Institute Yenny Zannuba Wahid hopes Google and Youtube will not upload such provocative video. Wahid Institute is now raising petition calling for Google and Youtube to ban the film.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Communication and Information Technology Tifatul Sembiring condemns those who circulate the film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ in Indonesia. "Those who upload the film in Indonesia will be arrested," he said.