Jakarta Chapter faces mounting rejection<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A proposal to include the Jakarta Chapter in the
\n1945 Constitution faces mounting rejection from both a noted
\npolitical observer and members of the provincial legislative
\ncouncil in North Sulawesi and North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
Political observer Mochtar Pabottingi said on Tuesday the
\nproposal to include the chapter in the Constitution was an effort
\nto bring the nation into ideological conflict.<\/p>\n
\"It's unnecessary. Including the chapter in Article 29 will
\nautomatically mean including it in the Constitution,\" Mochtar
\nsaid on the sidelines of a seminar in Jakarta, responding to the
\nproposal made by the United Development Party (PPP).<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the North Sulawesi Legislative Council, announced
\non Monday that on behalf of local inhabitants the council
\nstrongly rejected the proposal.<\/p>\n
The council would soon send a delegation to the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) in Jakarta to submit the aspirations
\nof local people, Syachrial Damapolii, speaker of the council,
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Chapter, intended to form the basis of the
\nPreamble of the 1945 Constitution, drew debate at the time over
\nthe wording \"obliging its followers to exercise Islamic laws.\"
\nThe chapter was later dropped from the Constitution.<\/p>\n
The debate on this subject reappeared, following last
\nweekend's statement by Vice President Hamzah Haz, who said that
\nin his capacity as chairman of the United Development Party (PPP)
\nthe inclusion of the chapter in Article 29 of the Constitution
\nwould not threaten other religions in the country.<\/p>\n
The decision of the North Sulawesi Legislative Council to
\nreject the proposal was reached at a plenary meeting on Monday.
\nIt was backed up by four factions, Golkar, Indonesian Democratic
\nParty of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Defense Force\/Police and the
\nIndonesian National Unity Party (KKI).<\/p>\n
Djendry Keintjem of PDI Perjuangan faction said should the
\nJakarta Chapter be implemented nationwide, the North Sulawesi
\nprovince would declare independence.<\/p>\n
He even urged the local administration to draw a straight
\nborderline from Indonesian territory in preparation for
\nindependence.<\/p>\n
The Muslim population in the province is smaller than that of
\nnon-Muslims. Data from 1998 shows the Muslim population in the
\nprovince was 1.24 million, while that of non-Muslims is 1.43
\nmillion.<\/p>\n
Mochtar of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) said if
\nthe political elite insisted on including the Jakarta Chapter in
\nany laws, it would mean inserting religion into state
\naffairs.<\/p>\n
Mochtar welcomed the proposal because it represents the
\naspirations of party members and reflects democracy. \"Please, go
\nahead. But remember, the Muslim majority, represented by
\nNahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, has rejected it,\" he said,
\nreferring to the two largest Muslim organizations. (48\/08)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jakarta-chapter-faces-mounting-rejection-1447893297",
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