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Muslim politicians reject Tjahjo's proposal
Politicians from Islamic-based political parties have opposed the governmentâs decision to allow adherents of non-recognized faiths to leave the religion column on their ID cards blank
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oliticians from Islamic-based political parties haveopposed the government's decision to allow adherents of non-recognized faithsto leave the religion column on their ID cards blank.
The politicians said on Friday that the decision contradicted the country's founding philosophy of Pancasila, especially the first of its five principles, namely of the 'Belief in one supreme God'.
United Development Party (PPP) politician Arwani Thomafi said 'religion is the most visible manifestation of the first principle of Pancasila'.
Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Aboebakar Al Habsy said that newly installed Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo's proposal could tarnish the country's national identity.
'If we believe that Pancasila is our state ideology and our national identity, then why we should we be ashamed of including our religion on our KTP [national identity card]?' he asked.
Arwani added that the inclusion of religious identity was for the benefit of citizens.
'[Otherwise] problems will happen on the issues of marriage, child custody and many things,' he said.
Previously, Tjahjo pushed local government officials to allow adherents of non-officially recognized religions to not state their religious beliefs on official documents, including ID cards.
'If they wish to do it, just allow them to. Don't impose any religion on them. It's up to the people [to fill in the religion column on ID cards],' he said.
