Aceh to perform Koran reading test for legislator candidates

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 09/01/2008 7:51 PM | National

The Aceh Independent Election Commission (KIP) plans to test 1,368 provincial legislative candidates on their ability to read the Koran this Sunday.

Yarwin Adidarma, head of the KIP executive committee, on Monday said the ability to read the holy book was a mandatory requirement to become Aceh representative in the Regional Legislative Council.

He said that the test would take place at the KIP secretariat instead of in mosques to avoid disrupting other Muslims from performing their daily prayers.

KIP has prepared 10 four-member teams for the tests, which are to be completed within 10 days.

According to Yarwin, the Koran reading requirement is based on provincial regulation (locally known as qanun) No.3/2008 about local political parties.

The legal requirement is imposed on local politicians contending seats at the provincial and regency legislatures.

Acehnese politicians, however, are no longer required to be proficient at reading the Koran to be eligible for the upcoming national legislative elections.

Following a prolonged public debate, earlier this year, Home Minister Mardiyanto annulled the controversial article of the 2008 election bylaw requiring legislative candidates to pass a Koran recital test. (dre)

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