TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Attorney General HM Prasetyo claimed that the decision to disband Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) has been thoroughly considered.
“It doesn’t mean that the government is against Islamic organizations, but we’re maintaining the unity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” Prasetyo said today.
Prasetyo explained that the decision to disband HTI was based on a stance taken by 23 countries against the organization. Prasetyo added that most of the countries that reject the existence of HTI are Middle Eastern countries.
Prasetyo also suggested that HTI does not contribute to the national development, considering that its vision contradicts with state ideology Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.
Despite the urgency, Prasetyo stated that the disbandment will be discussed through a legal mechanism. “It could possibly be done using a Presidential Decree,” he said.
HTI spokesman Ismail Yusanto claims that the democracy practiced in Indonesia is faulty and that true sovereignty is in God’s hands. Despite confirming that HTI plans to establish a caliphate and denounces Indonesia’s democracy, Ismail Yusanto claims that HTI’s practices are in accordance with Indonesia’s Law on Mass-Organization.
DANANG FIRMANTO
