Religious groups upset over Indonesian politics<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Two religious organizations expressed their
\nconcern on Sunday over various political developments and the
\ncoming General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly
\n(MPR).<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) called in a
\nstatement signed by chairman Sularso Sopater and secretary
\ngeneral J.M. Pattiasina for the House of Representatives to halt
\nits deliberation of the bill on state security, and defer the job
\nto the new House elected in the June 7 general election.<\/p>\n
Citing the arduous deliberations and large amount of time
\nneeded for the job, the communion warned that the document could
\ntrample on human rights. The organization said the controversial
\ndocument also has the potential to suppress people's freedom and
\ncreativity.<\/p>\n
\"Judging by the public reaction over the document, with due
\nrespect to the existence of the House members who will soon end
\ntheir term, please do not leave behind a time bomb,\" the
\norganization said.<\/p>\n
Separately, the Indonesian Council of Mosques said in a media
\nbriefing here on Saturday that activists and managers of mosques
\nacross the country should remain neutral and maintain their
\nneutrality in the coming General Session of the MPR.<\/p>\n
\"The Indonesian Council of Mosques is taking a neutral stance
\nin the face of the current political situation, it will not take
\nsides with any interest groups,\" chairman Kafrawi Ridwan said as
\nquoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
\"We will not support any presidential candidates,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Mosques become divided if managers choose to be partisan to
\nany political interests,\" he said when disclosing the plan to
\nhold a congress of the council here next month.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/religious-groups-upset-over-indonesian-politics-1447893297",
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