Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali says a judicial review filed against the 1965 Law on Religious Blasphemy is potentially dangerous since it could spark unlimited freedom of religion in the country.
“If the Constitutional Court rules in favor of the review, we are afraid it will pave the way for unlimited freedom of religion. People will be allowed to found religions, change the holy book and set up religious sects at will,” Suryadharma said at the opening of a national meeting of the United Development Party (PPP), which he chairs, in Medan on Friday.
Unlimited freedom of religion would create social upheaval, as religious followers would react against blasphemy, he said.
A coalition of human rights watchdogs and civil society groups are seeking a review of the 1965 law, which they say restricts the freedom of religion in Indonesia. The Constitutional Court began its hearing on Wednesday.
The legal battle comes on the heels of a series of crackdowns against religious sects deemed to be heretical.
Suryadharma said he was working with various Islamic organizations such as Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama, to fight the case in court.
“All Islamic groups are against the judicial review,” he said as quoted by Antara.
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