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Proposed govt control over places of worship draws criticism
A proposal from the BNPT to place houses of worship under government control has drawn pointed criticisms from leaders of religious organizations and civil groups, who have warned that such a measure risked violating human rights and curbing religious freedom.
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Worshippers take part in a congregational prayer on July 31, 2020 at Babah Alun Mosque in Cilandak, South Jakarta, to mark Idul Adha (Day of Sacrifice). (JP/P.J. Leo)
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eligious organizations and civil groups have criticized a proposal from the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) on the government directly controlling and monitoring places of worship in its fight against extremist ideologies, fearing this could restrict religious freedom in the country.
BNPT head Comr. Gen. Rycko Amelza Dahniel presented the proposal on Monday in a meeting with House of Representatives Commission III overseeing legal affairs. He suggested that the government needed a new mechanism to control and monitor places of worship to curb the spread of extremist ideologies.
Rycko said the proposed mechanism was drawn from the BNPT’s observation of several countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Oman and Saudi Arabia, where governments controlled who could work at houses of worship, especially religious leaders and teachers.
“We need to regulate who can preach in places of worship and what they teach, so such places do not become an instrument for spreading violence and hate, or an outlet to insult our leaders and the government,” he said.
Read also: A better way: How rehabilitated terrorists are helping counter extremism
Concerns have been rising in recent years over the spread of violent extremism in places of worship across the country.
In 2020, the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) published a report on its study of extremist groups in West Sumatra that questioned the government’s approach in tackling radicalization and extremist ideologies.
