TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin expressed his opinion on issues related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) that has gained public attention in recent days. Lukman said that he public should not display hostile behavior or in any way expressed hate towards LGBT communities.
"But it does not mean that we should justify and allow LGBT to [alter] our religious values and [state ideology]," Lukman said during a meeting with Commission VIII of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, February 17, 2016.
Lukman asserted that LGBT is a social problem that threatens religious life and family integrity of Indonesian citizens. LGBT, according to Lukman, also pose threats to the state’s ideology. "And also a potential threat to the Indonesian marital law system, which forbids same sex marriage," Lukman said.
Lukman added that one of the measures that must be taken to anticipate LGBT issues is to strengthen family values. "[Family values], should used as a barrier and foundation [to strengthen] public and state resilience," Lukman said.
Lukman explained that the religious affairs ministry will help to promote efforts to strengthen family values by providing pre-marital course for couples. In addition, Lukman said that the ministry will provide counseling services for families.
"We will also mediate domestic disputes. These efforts will be carried out in cooperation with the Marital Preservation, Improvement and Advisory Council and religious organizations," Lukman said.
ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI
