Jakarta Globe, Fitri R | August 30, 2010
Mataram, Lombok. It was never going to end well when a middle-aged American residing on the resort island of Lombok allegedly barged into a small mosque wearing his shoes, unplugged a speaker system used to broadcast sermons that he complained were disturbing his sleep and assaulted a worshiper.
Enraged locals immediately began chasing the man, identified as Luke Gregory Lloyd, 64, who was saved from almost certain serious injury — or worse — by police in Kuta village, Pujut subdistrict.
Nasruddin, a local, said angry residents then turned their attention to Lloyd’s house, trashing it.
“He should consider himself lucky because at that time we decided not to beat him; we didn’t want to do anything stupid, but some people could not control their anger and decided to damage Lloyd’s house,” he said.
The incident occurred on the evening of Aug. 22.
Central Lombok deputy police chief Lalu Mahsun said Lloyd had been arrested on immigration charges because his residency permit had expired in April 2006, and taken into protective custody.
He is being held at a local hotel were he is guarded by two police officers.
Mahsun said that police in cooperation with local religious officials had also launched an investigation “to determine whether Lloyd’s actions can be classified as blasphemy.”
If that was the case, he said, then, “We will arrest him immediately.”
The charge carries a maximum jail term of five years.
Mushan said it was not the first time Lloyd had objected to the activities conducted within the mushollah, or small mosque or prayer room, but this was by far the most extreme incident.
Muslims worldwide are currently marking the holy month of Ramadan.
Nasruddin said locals had put up with Lloyd for 15 years, even though he often lost his temper.
He said he hoped police would ensure that justice was done for insulting Islam and not let him escape “just because he is a foreigner.”
The Immigration Department could not be reached for comment.
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