Home Affairs Ministry to Include Minority Faiths on ID Cards

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said that the Home Affairs Ministry would immediately discuss the plan to include minority faiths and religions in the religion column on the Indonesian Identity Card (KTP).

According to the minister, because their religions are not listed as those acknowledged by the state, many of them have no ID cards, or KTP. He also said since they do not have identity cards, often find difficulties receiving public services.

"Some of them cannot even find jobs due to limited access,” Tjahjo said on Friday, November 7, 2014.

At the same time, both district heads and sub-district heads are also discouraged to issue KTP for them as they feared it is against the law.

Tjahjo added that all citizens must have equal rights, including in obtaining ID card. The number of minority faith followers in Indonesia, he said, is more than one million people and they embrace hundreds of minority faiths. Tjahjo further said to date; the religion column of their KTP is filled with one of the religions that is actually not their faith.

Next week, Tjahjo plans to discuss this issue with related ministries such as Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, the Indonesian Ulema Council, the Attorney General, as well as religious figures.

As for the plan to leave the religion column on the KTP blank, Tjahjo denied that. According to him, the religion column must be included but he admitted that he could not do it alone.

"Bear in mind that our country is neither a secular country nor a religion-based country. However, our country protects religions for the good of the people,” he added.

FAIZ NASHRILLAH