Depok Mayor Talks of Rejected Draft Bill on Religious City

TEMPO.CO, Depok - Depok Mayor Mohamad Idris has spoken about his regional draft bill (raperda) on religious city administration that was rejected by the Depok Legislative Council (DPRD).

According to him, the regional policy draft proposed during a House Steering Committee (Bamus) meeting was initiated by the city administration to realize religious people of Depok.

“This is in line with Depok’s vision and mission; superior, convenience, and religious,” said Idris in an official statement Tempo received on Sunday, May 19.

Idris explained that the draft bill to date is in the form of Executive Summary, so it still requires an in-depth study from several parties, especially Depok DPRD.

The mentioned religious means the assurance of people’s rights in carrying out their obligations. This reflects in the great devotion to God, good behavior, morals, and ethics, as well as understanding in nationalism based on Pancasila (Indonesia’s five ideology) and 194 Constitutional Law. “And also, always upholding the dignity and honor based on religious, legal, moral, and courtesy norms,” Idris added.

Read also: Depok Mayor Bans Garin Nugroho`s Film

Earlier, Depok DPRD speaker Hendrik Tangke Allo rejected the draft bill to be listed in the 2020 Regional Legislative Program (Propemperda). He opined the policy ruled people’s religious life substantially and was feared to cause intolerance and discrimination against religious community should it is ratified as a legal product.

“While in fact, Depok city highly upholds pluralism,” Hendrik told Tempo on Friday, May 17, adding that religious matter was the authority of central government, instead of the regional administration.

Mayor Idris further reiterated that the draft policy was based on the first principle of Pancasila, Belief in One and Only God. Thus, the religious value did not merely rule personal issue, but rather actualized religious practices that reflected in socio-political life in Indonesia that embraces diversity.

Idris hoped the draft bill will bring the heterogeneous population of Depok in harmonious, peaceful, safe, and orderly life. He added the regional administration has the authority to deal with matters related to public order and security as well as social issues as mandated in regional government law.

ADE RIDWAN YANDWIPUTRA