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Indonesia disbands Islamic group Hizbut Tahrir
Female members of Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) stage a rally to promote the establishment of a caliphate in Malang, East Java. (Kompas.com/File)
T
he government has disbanded Muslim hard-line group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) for conducting activities that contradict state ideology Pancasila and the principle of a unitary state of the republic of Indonesia.
The Law and Human Rights Ministry officially revoked HTI's status as a legal entity on Wednesday. The move was taken following the issuance of a regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) on mass organizations.
The Perppu has sparked concerns over potential violations of the right to assemble as it grants the government the power to disband mass groups without due process.
Read also: Dems side with opposition against Perppu on mass groups
"With the revocation of its legal status, we declared that the HTI is disbanded, in accordance with Article 80A of the Perppu," the ministry's legal administration director-general, Freddy Harris, told reporters.
Although the HTI mentioned Pancasila as its ideology in its statute (AD/ART), facts show that its activities are not in line with Pancasila, he said.
"It acts against its own AD/ART. Our decision to revoke its legal status is based on extensive consideration, long examination and input from relevant institutions," Freddy said.
Read also: HTI turns to MK to annul Perppu on mass organizations
The ministry issued the HTI a permit in July 2014. Since then, the group has reportedly promoted the establishment of a caliphate, which contradicts Pancasila.
Freddy said the HTI could take legal measures against the move if it so wished. (bbs)
