JAKARTA; Three people were injured after a man armed with an axe and a dagger attacked worshippers during morning prayers at a mosque in East Jakarta on Sunday, police said.
East Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Alfian Nurrizal said the incident began while worshippers were performing dawn prayers at around 4am, when they noticed a fire on the mosque's veranda.
“Several worshippers stopped praying to try to extinguish the fire, but were attacked by the man, who indiscriminately swung an axe and a dagger at them,” Alfian said on Monday, as quoted by Kompas.id.
The attack left three worshippers with various injuries. One suffered a laceration to the right side of the chest and bruising, while another sustained cuts to the knee and head, as well as multiple stab wounds.
The third suffered a stab wound to the right side of the chest, with injuries that nearly severed his ring and little fingers, Alfian said.
All three victims were taken to hospitals in East Jakarta for treatment.
Worshippers managed to subdue the attacker and alerted police, who took him into custody, Alfian said.
“The suspect remains in East Jakarta Police custody for questioning as investigators pursue further legal proceedings,” he added.
Alfian said police seized several items at the scene, including two 3kg liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, gasoline suspected of having been used to start the fire, an axe and a dagger.
"We are investigating whether the attack was premeditated, including the possibility of an ideological motive or links to any particular network," Alfian said.
He said police were committed to conducting a thorough and transparent investigation in accordance with the law.
CCTV footage circulating on social media showed the suspect walking towards the mosque wearing an orange outfit beneath a long robe and a yellowish-brown sash. He was also seen carrying a large dark blue suitcase and two cardboard boxes.
The suitcase was suspected of containing items used in the attack, including the LPG cylinders and gasoline.
East Jakarta Police spokesperson Adj. Comr. I Made Budi said the suspect had been charged under several articles of the Criminal Code relating to aggravated assault, the unlawful possession of a bladed weapon and arson.
The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 12 years.
Made said preliminary findings suggested the suspect might have a mental health condition, but further examination was needed to establish this.
"The suspect will undergo an examination at the National Police Hospital in Kramat Jati to verify this," he said.
Made urged the public to remain calm and maintain social harmony, cautioning against drawing links between the attack and ethnic, religious or racial issues without evidence.
He also urged people not to be swayed by speculation or spread unverified information.
"Let the police handle the case so the legal process can run its course and public order can be maintained," he said.
Hidayat Nur Wahid, deputy speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), condemned the attack and urged police to conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether others were involved and whether broader motives or circumstances lay behind the incident.
"Everything must be fully uncovered to give the public clarity and prevent speculation that could further inflame the situation. Those responsible must face penalties severe enough to deter similar crimes. The attacker must not simply be released on the grounds of mental illness," he said.
The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician also stressed that the state must ensure people can worship safely, noting that religious freedom is a fundamental human right that the government is constitutionally obligated to protect.
"People should not have to fear going to mosques to pray or take part in other religious activities. Law enforcement must be firm to send a clear message that violence and threats against places of worship will not be tolerated," he said.
