Jokowi Responds to FPI's Permit Renewal
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2 December 2019 15:41 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has balked at commenting on the permit extension of Islamic Defenders Front (FPI). He said he fully entrusted the matter to related ministers.
“Regarding the permit renewal, that is ministers’ affairs, not the president,” said the former Jakarta governor during a discussion with the press at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, December 2.
The permit of the mass organization has expired since last June. However, Home Affairs Minister at that time, Tjahjo Kumolo, said he could not issue the new one due to the lack of a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Recently, the current Religious Affairs Minister, Fachrul Razi, submitted the letter to the Home Affairs Ministry. Religious Affairs Ministry’s sec-gen M Nur Kholis said FPI had met the requirement to obtain the recommendation as stipulated on the ministerial decree No. 14/2019.
However, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian questioned the organization’s internal rules and bylaws, which mentioned its goals to implement Islamic law under the Islamic administration (Khilafah Islamiyah) or known as the caliphate.
The issue sparked controversy among the public. Some have supported the government to grant the permit renewal to FPI, while others are against the idea.
AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI