TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifudin stated that the 2017 Regional Election will present a challenge to Indonesia's religious harmony because candidates often brought up religious issues to crank up their own electability, or even defame opposing candidates.
Whereas Lukman added that based on a research conducted by the Research and Development Agency of Religious Affairs Ministry in 2015 the level of religious tolerance in Indonesia is in good condition. Out of the highest 100 percent score, Indonesia managed to record 75.36 percent. "It isn't going to be easy to maintain that number," Lukman said on Monday, October 24, 2016.
For example, Lukman said that in the run up for the 2017 Jakarta Gubernatorial Election, many claimed that incumbent Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama should not be re-elected as a governor because he in fact is not a Muslim although according to the Minister, religion does not have a significant role in determining a person’s quality or integrity.
"The issue rises when a candidate has different beliefs or religion [than that of the majority]. Especially, if [certain] candidates and campaign team brought up religion issues to create confrontation, not harmony," Lukman said.
Lukman added that the only thing that can sustain the level of religious harmony during times of election would be the maturity of Indonesian citizens and the candidates themselves. Lukman admitted that it is already too difficult to separate religion and politics, leaving the choices on how to make the issue of religion to promote a candidate rather creating confrontation.
ISTMAN M.P.