Heru Budi Clarifies Issue of ASEAN LGBT Activists Gathering in Jakarta

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Acting Governor Heru Budi Hartono confirmed that the provincial government did not issue any permits for the gathering of the ASEAN lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community that reportedly will be held in the city on July 17-21, 2023.

“No permit [for the event],” Heru Budi told Tempo via a text message on Tuesday evening, July 11.

Previously, the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC), a network of LGBT rights activists from Southeast Asia, announced via its Instagram that there will be a get-together in Jakarta. However, the post has been deleted.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Deputy Chairperson Anwar Abbas urged the government to reject the gathering of LGBT activists as it would violate the country's constitution, particularly Article 29 paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution which states “Belief in One Almighty God.”

Abbas underlined that LGBT practices contradict religious teachings. “Of the six religions recognized in this country, namely Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, none of these religions tolerate LGBT practices,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Metro Jaya Police’s Director of Intelligence and Security Senior Commissioner Hirbak Wahyu Setiawan said the police are still investigating the information. “The regional police are trying to find out whether it's true or not [if the event would be held] in Jakarta,” Hirbak said.

Hirbak added that based on the initial investigation, not a single hotel or building is booked for the ASEAN LGBT activists gathering and no party has yet applied for the permit.

MUTIA YUANTISYA

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