Tolerance is the social glue that keeps us from degenerating into conflict. But over the past few years, intolerance has been creeping into our society with minority groups, claiming to speak for society at large, making demands on the rest of us.

The latest incident, in which some hard-line Islamic organizations in Bekasi, just east of Jakarta, demanded a statue in a private housing complex be destroyed because it was un-Islamic, reflects a dangerous development. The local authorities capitulated and have ordered its destruction. Coming on the heels of recent attacks on churches in Bandung, it indicates fissures in our society that, if not addressed, could lead to religious and ethnic conflict.

The statue in question, of three women carved in steel wearing traditional Sundanese clothing, should be viewed as a cultural statement reflecting the multi-cultural dimension of Indonesian society. Instead, Bekasi Mayor Muhtar Muhammad caved in to the demands of hard-line Muslim groups, who had vandalized the statue earlier, for the sake of avoiding conflict.

But this sends the wrong message and emboldens hard-line groups across the country. On Monday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono warned against allowing certain groups to tear apart our social fabric and alter the nature of our democracy. In a democracy, every citizen has a right to express his or her views, but within the confines of the law.

The president explicitly said that Indonesia is not an Islamic state governed by Shariah law, and that pushing such an agenda is unacceptable. Yet we have Islamic groups pushing – if not forcing – their agendas at the expense of the rest of society.

Those who violate the law must be held accountable. Vandalism is the destruction of property, yet no action was taken against those who damaged the statue, which sits on private property.

If we are to prevent social conflict, we must not succumb to the demands of fringe minority groups. This is where the battle for the hearts and minds of all Indonesians is being fought, and if we do not stand up for our rights, extremism will take root.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Boy Rafli Amar has appealed for calm and asked the people of Bekasi not to be provoked. He alluded to the fact that religious provocation could threaten social harmony.

Sociologist Ganda Upaya supported this view in noting that social problems arise when one group forces its agenda on other members of society.

Stemming growing intolerance will not be easy, but if it is not done, social harmony could be destroyed. In a pluralistic society such as Indonesia (whose state motto is "Unity in Diversity"), respecting differences is critical and should be emphasized in our schools and state institutions. Vandalism cannot be tolerated and must be condemned. No individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands.