TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Government firmly denies that they issued Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) No. 2/2017 on mass organizations to discredit the Muslim community.

“[President Joko Widodo or] Jokowi is a Muslim, Vice President [Jusuf Kalla] is a Muslim, and I am a Muslim too. Why would we discredit Islam,” Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Wiranto said today.

Read: HTI to File Judicial Review against Perppu on Mass Organizations

Wiranto explained that the Perppu was issued because the Indonesian government is responsible for protecting the state ideology from destructive ideologies. He argues that the government had been truly democratic in issuing the regulation, and he reminded that the government is open to discuss the matter.

Wiranto realizes that issuing the Perppu would spark controversies among the public. Several groups have even accused the government of being anti-Islam.

Wiranto explained that the Perppu on mass-organization is the President’s discretion. Wiranto also believes that the current heated situation would not last long, considering that mass organizations targeted for disbandment are allowed to challenge the Perppu in court.

Wiranto explained that the existing regulation regarding mass-organizations was not sufficient enough to prevent and neutralize activities that could potentially harm the state ideology.

Read: Govt No Need to Issue Perppu to Disband HTI

DANANG FIRMANTO

DANANG FIRMANTOexplained that the Perppu on mass-organization is the President’s discretion. Wiranto also believes that the current heated situation would not last long, considering that mass organizations targeted for disbandment are allowed to challenge the Perppu in court.

Wiranto explained that the existing regulation regarding mass-organizations was not sufficient enough to prevent and neutralize activities that could potentially harm the state ideology.