Muslim Association Upset by Sukmawati Soekarnoputri`s Poetry

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Muslim Advocates Association (IKAMI) argues that the poetry read by Sukmawati Soekarnoputri entitled ‘Ibu Indonesia’ or ‘Mother Indonesia’ could potentially violate the law on electronic information and transactions (UU ITE).

Sukmawati read the poetry at the 29th ‘Anne Avantie Berkarya’ anniversary during the2018 Indonesia Fashion Week that was held at the Jakarta Convention Center on Wednesday, March 28.

IKAMI secretary general Djudju Purwanto argues that the poem could potentially cause disruption among members of the public. “It can potentially cause horizontal conflicts since it mentions Muslims,” said Djudju in the press release on Tuesday, April 2.

The poem Sukmawati read involved the word ‘Islamic sharia and adzan (prayer call)’ which the group deemed sensitive added with Sukmawati’s acknowledgment of her lack of understanding regarding the Islamic sharia.

“[Despite her lack of understanding] she mentioned it and compared problems regarding veils, the sound of an adzan, with other things that are not related to the Islamic creed,” said Djudju.

Djudju even mentioned the blasphemy case that imprisoned former Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) as a case that Sukmawati should take lessons from.

IMAM HAMDI