Muslim Association Defends Tolerance in Tuban Statue Controversy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Association of Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) strongly disagree if the Chinese god Guan Yu statue in Kwan Sing Bio Temple in Tuban, East Java, gets torn down. The ICMI chairman Jimly Asshiddiqie reminded that the public does not have the right to tear down an object just because they disagree with the existence of it. 

“It is wrong to tear down the statue. That would not be allowed, as long as it abides by existing legal permits. You can’t tear it down just because you disagree with it,” said Jimly on Wednesday, August 9.

He hopes that East Java Ulemas (Muslim scholars) can help maintain and reduce the anger of the group that opposes the existence of the statue.

Jimly undermined the fact that even if the statue is afflicted with problems, it should only be handled by law enforcements and not by the locals. “The people must refrain, don’t take justice into your own hands,” said the ICMI chairman.

The Chinese god of war statue in Tuban temple, according to the opposing groups, has nothing to do with Indonesia’s history. The statue was built on a private land owned by the temple and is currently enclosed in a giant white wrap to avoid further conflicts.

STANLEY WIDIANTO