IssuesOftheDay: ‘Inaccurate reports on HTI’

‘Inaccurate reports on HTI’
March 5, p. 7

Frankly, this is not the first time The Jakarta Post has published misinformation regarding Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI). A number of news reports have been clearly inaccurate and misleading. Such reports do not do justice to local or international readers in providing the balanced points of view they deserve to make up their own minds about HTI.
For instance, on Feb. 2, 2010 the Post reported that the National Alliance for the Freedom of Religion and Faith (AKKBB) sought a judicial review of the blasphemy law (Law No. 1/PNPS/1965) by the Constitutional Court. (By Muhammad Ismail Yusanto, Jakarta)

Your comments:
HTI is a group that seeks to destroy Indonesia and replace it with a pan-Islamic state in Southeast
Asia. It’s not something they will say out loud, but it’s their primary goal, as is the case with Hizbut Tahrir all over the world. They refuse to say who, if they succeed, will rule this great nation.
That’s because they don’t want their followers to know that Indonesia will be colonized again, this time by the Arabs. HTI has the right to herd, but no government officials should give the time of day
to a group whose primary goal is to overthrow the government and replace the Constitution and Pancasila state ideology with its twisted view of Islam.
Mike Tjandra
Jakarta
Mike Tjandra, you say HTI members avoid expressing aloud their desire to abolish the Indonesian nation and incorporate it instead into an Islamic caliphate. Actually Muhammad Ismail Yusanto declares in the sixth paragraph of this very article that “HTI is an Islamic group that seeks the implementation of sharia via the reinstatement of the Caliphate”.
So he is actually quite open about HTI’s view of the preferred destiny for Indonesia. It would be good if members of parliament and senior government officials holding the same view could be as honest.
John Hargreaves
Jakarta

Well Yusanto, The Jakarta Post is absolutely correct when calling fanatics, militants, and radicals by their true names.
Edi Rey
Switzerland

I can assure the writer that the main thrust of the HTI struggle as laid out in this article is shared by many millions of people all over the world, both Muslim and non-Muslim: In a nutshell, to liberate the people from poverty, ignorance, decadence, crime and national disintegration.
Where we would possibly differ is in the proposed solution. This would make for a very interesting dialogue. The more I learn the more I am convinced that the clash of ideologies we see in the world today is between those who would govern on the principles of justice and morality, what is right and what is wrong, vs. those who would govern based on the principle of animalistic greed; i.e. how much I can grab for myself and my buddies, and who cares about everyone else?
The world is polarizing into these two camps, and I believe we must be careful not to define one side exclusively in terms of one particular religion, as that excludes people of other faiths who are basically on the same side.
Andrew
Tangerang, Banten

Well Yusanto, as you say and I quote, “HTI is an Islamic group that seeks the implementation of sharia via the reinstatement of the Caliphate, purely by intellectual and political means, without resorting to acts of violence.”
Please refer to the Koran, A Nur: 55, God says the Caliphate is purely
a blessing from Allah granted to those who believe and do good deeds. The one on whose hand the power to establish Caliphate according to this verse is Allah Himself and no one else.
Don’t you see that Abu Bakar, Omar, Usman and Ali had never dreamed of becoming Khalifah, what more to create a group intending to establish Caliphate, but Allah appointed them as Khalifa because of their spiritual capability and their love for the Holy Prophet of Islam. The wish of your group to establish or reinstatement the Caliphate is far remote from the tradition of Islam and its history.
I also believe this verse just strengthen your belief in Allah and do as many as possible good deeds, once your belief and good deeds are accepted by Allah, automatically Caliphate will be granted to you. Unless you believe in something else.
Abdul Mukhlis
Zamboanga, Philippines

I appreciate Yusanto’s response. Hopefully it is true and honest. I am always curious about new ways or methods. I’m sick of today’s system (economics, law, etc.).
Why don’t we try sharia? I’m glad that I have been informed that sharia is not only about stoning and other violent acts. I’m now studying sharia economics.
Novian
Jakarta

It is a big mistake to say the
HTI are “militant” or “radical groups”. I’m not a member of the HTI, but I know it has good value for this country.
How can we say they are radical? Can you prove it? You’ll never find any reason to call them radical or militant. “The HTI is a group that seeks to destroy Indonesia and replace it with a pan-Islamic state in Southeast Asia”.
Your opinion just shows that you must learn more about the history of our independence. The Muslims of Indonesia have given their soul to the country, not for the title or money. The spirit to reach freedom is peace. And you should know, moderate Islam is a peaceful religion.
Ujang Hidayat
Jakarta