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View all search resultsGov seeks to remove Minang-language Bible
“The application contradicts Minangkabau culture with its philosophy of Adat Basandi Syarak, Syarak Basandi Kitabullah [culture is based on sharia, sharia is based on Quran],” Irwan wrote in the letter.
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T
he West Sumatra provincial administration is currently under the spotlight after its letter requesting the central government take down a Bible application from a digital distribution service circulated widely, prompting debates in the country.
According to a copy of the letter obtained by The Jakarta Post, which was dated May 28 and addressed to Communication and Information Minister Johnny G. Plate, West Sumatra governor Irwan Prayitno requested the ministry take down an application named “Kitab Suci Injil Minangkabau” (The Bible in Minangkabau language) that was available on Google Play Store.
He said the existence of the application had caused Minangkabau people – most of whom are Muslim residents of the province – to be uncomfortable.
“The application contradicts Minangkabau culture with its philosophy of Adat Basandi Syarak, Syarak Basandi Kitabullah [culture is based on sharia, sharia is based on Quran],” Irwan wrote in the letter.
Irwan asked the ministry – through the Informatics Application Directorate General – to take down the app and to prevent similar apps from emerging in the future.
West Sumatra Communication and Information Agency head Jasman Rizal confirmed the request. “We appreciated the people who were responsive by giving us information [about the existence of the app],” said Jasman as quoted by tribunnews.com on Thursday.
The finding, Jasman added, had been discussed by the West Sumatra office of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and the West Sumatra governor. As of Wednesday, the application had been taken down from Google Play Store, he said.
