The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has promised to pass a bill to protect Muslim clerics, religious figures and religious symbols as part of its bid to retain seats in the House of Representatives after the 2019 general elections.

“For the sake of maintaining the honor and nobility of ulema, religious leaders and religious symbols, and in order to maintain the integrity and harmony of interreligious life, the PKS promises to fight for the protection bill in the upcoming 2019-2024 period,” PKS chairman Sohibul Iman told a press conference recently.

Sohibul cited what he claimed to was an increase in “persecution against ulema” as one of the reasons behind their plan.

“Ulema and religious figures are very vulnerable to threats — whether physical, non-physical or criminalization by law enforcement authorities — because of their preaching,” he said, citin...