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MUI, priests take a stand against religious figures, symbols protection bill
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Religious adherence: Notable Islamic preacher Ustadz Arifin Ilham leads an 'istighotsah' (mass prayer) attended by thousands of workers to celebrate International Workers' Day at Pakansari Stadium in Bogor, West Java, on May 1. (JP/Theresia Sufa)
T
he House of Representatives has included a bill to protect religious figures and symbols in the 2020 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas), drawing swift criticism from religious figures and experts who say such "privilege" is unnecessary.
The bill was initiated by the Islamic-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) in January under the title of the ulema protection bill, aimed at protecting Muslim clerics from criminal sentences. The House's legislation body (Baleg) later changed the title to be more general.
Two other Islamic-based parties in the government coalition reportedly have thrown support behind the bill. They are the United Development Party (PPP) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) – the latter also proposed the protection of kyai (religious teachers) and guru ngaji (Quran teachers) to be included in the bill.
The PKS argued that religious figures were very vulnerable to threats – including criminalization by law enforcement authorities – because of their preaching. Not only Muslims but all the religions in Indonesia.
The protected symbols in the bill would include holy books, houses of worship, crosses and images containing phrases referring to monotheism or God.
