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Letter: Law and sharia often collide
I refer to an article titled “Cleric: Sharia higher than national law,” (www
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refer to an article titled “Cleric: Sharia higher than national law,” (www.thejakartapost.com) on March 26.
National law and sharia often collide in this country. Most puzzling isthat legislators and law enforcers allow for an open debate on shariaopposing the rule of law of a country without ever challenging it as anact of treason.
When leaders or institutions are openly urging their followers to defy the Constitution by discussing and insisting on sharia as mandatory to their followers and (as a result of democratic principles) all its citizens, they are openly insisting on ignoring, or even conflicting with, the laws of the unitary state of Indonesia, Pancasila and foremost, the Constitution, by openly desiring the state to become a theocracy.
Some may say (including me) that it is our right as a citizen to express our opinion in a decent manner without the use of force, or better yet, it is our right of free speech. But why then, an alteration of public affairs, or simply put, is a regime change based on religious considerations any different from a discussion and aspirations based on any other ideological or political viewpoint like communism, fascism, federalism or any other “deviant form” of running our public affairs?
Can it be possible to express one’s aspirations for a certain public administration, or simply to express peacefully your personal view for what you think is best for your country, without being accused of an act of treason?
Of course one cannot, not in our country, not based on religion (at least, not that of the majority).
Asher Tauran
Jakarta
