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Beware of defining groups as being anti-Pancasila: Lawmaker
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Lawmaker Fahri Hamzah speaks to journalists after a hearing at the House of Representatives (Antara/Rivan Awal Lingga)
O
utspoken House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Fahri Hamzah has warned the government to be careful in labeling mass organizations “anti-Pancasila” while trying to curb the activities of groups deemed problematic.
Fahri argued that anyone, including the state, could violate the values of Pancasila state ideology, pointing a finger at the government for doing so by widely opening the country to foreign investment.
“Capital is more important than humans nowadays and the government is busy focusing on capital. Isn’t this anti-Pancasila?” Fahri argued.
(Read also: Government to ban violent, anti-Pancasila mass organizations: Minister)
The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician said he welcomed the government’s plan to curb mass organizations, but warned that any group, including the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), should not be arbitrarily defined as being against Pancasila.
“To recognize violent and radical groups as anti-Pancasila in order to target the FPI will stir debate,” Fahri said. “The government can enforce the law with the FPI, as well as other groups, if it violates the law. There is no need to ban it.”
Fahri’s comment came a day after Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly revealed on Thursday that the government planned to expand the definition of anti-Pancasila in a planned amendment of the prevailing law on mass organizations. The plan to amend Law No. 17/2013 is an effort to discipline groups deemed problematic for disrupting public order. (evi)
