House Member Says Legalization of Interfaith Marriage Violates Constitution

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Member of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission VIII, Bukhori Yusuf, denounced the Tangerang District Court’s ruling that legalized interfaith marriage on human rights considerations. He assessed that it is against the constitution and religious law.

Bukhori believed that the ruling contradicts Article 28J (2) of the 1945 Constitution which noted that everyone is obliged to comply with the restrictions set by law in fulfilling rights and freedoms.

“This means that human rights from the perspective of our constitution do not mean liberal. It is limited by considerations of morality, religious values, security, and public order,” he explained in a written statement, Thursday, December 1, 2022.

The PKS politician also mentioned Article 22 and Article 8 (f) of Law No. 1 of 1974 overseeing marriage. The two articles state the requirements for a valid marriage, and that a marriage should be done by two people with the same religion and beliefs.

“On this basis, the court's decision that legalizes interfaith marriages under the pretext of human rights actually violates the constitution and applicable laws and regulations,” Bukhori remarked.

Apart from violating the constitution, he underlined that inter-religious marriage contradicted Islamic teachings.

He thus reminded the Tangerang District Court not to be hasty in making decisions. “Other than disrespecting and even harming Islamic teachings, the ruling is a form of defiance against the state,” Bukhori concluded.

The Tangerang District Court had previously legalized interfaith marriage of a couple who tied the knot in Singapore. The request was filed on October 13, 2022. In their decision, the panel of judges ordered the Population and Civil Registration Agency to record their marriage.

ALFITRIA NEFI PRATIWI

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