TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo expressed his supports to a plan to provide Ahmadiyah followers with electronic identity cards (e-KTP). This is following a report that was submitted to the Indonesian Ombudsman by Ahmadiyah congregations living in Kuningan, West Java.
“In principle, one of the six official religions must be listed on an e-KTP. [The religion section] can be left empty for people who practice other faiths [other than the official religions],” said Tjahjo Kumolo on Monday, July 24.
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As many as 1,600 Ahmadiyah followers living in Kuningan, Manislor, have not received identity cards.
There were requirements from the region’s Population and Civil Registration Office that could not be fulfilled by Ahmadiyah followers. Ahmadiyah followers said that they were asked to convert to Islam before they could receive their ID cards.
According to Tjahjo, leaving the faith description empty is the only solution to the issue.
Minister Tjahjo Kumolo also advised regional leaders not to enforce any religion or faiths towards any individuals.
ISTMAN MP