Addressing Intolerance Issues, Human Rights Minister Proposes Bill on Freedom of Religion

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has proposed the establishment of a Bill on Freedom of Religion. The proposal was raised by Pigai while addressing intolerance issues in Indonesia, during a working meeting with the House of Representatives’ Commission XIII on Tuesday (7/4/2026). “Therefore, the Ministry of Human Rights has proposed, discussed with the Minister of Religious Affairs, I want to introduce the Freedom of Religion Act,” said Pigai at the House of Representatives building. Pigai stated that the proposal arises because the state’s current approach still focuses on protecting religious communities rather than freedom. According to Pigai, the concept of religious freedom is considered more inclusive as it covers all belief groups, including local religions. “So, we are proposing the Freedom of Religion Act, but for now the state is still guided by the Protection of Religious Communities Act. So, it uses ‘protection’, I am proposing ‘freedom’. This is still a debate,” he said. Pigai added that the differing views are still being discussed within the government. “But, again, it’s a debate, who knows, the meeting point might be in 2027 or 2028, we don’t know,” he revealed. On that occasion, Pigai also highlighted the narrative of intolerance often attached to certain areas, such as West Java. He rejected the notion that the region is synonymous with intolerant practices. According to Pigai, the stigma of West Java as an intolerant area is an opinion formed over a long time and does not fully reflect the conditions on the ground. “But, I reject if it’s said that West Java is intolerant. This is me as the Human Rights Minister, as well as someone who has lived in West Java for 25 years. Depok has never had any sealing related to religion,” said Pigai. Pigai emphasised that, based on his observations and research, intolerance cases do not only occur in one specific area but are spread across various regions in Indonesia. He assessed that both majority and minority groups can experience pressure, depending on the regional context. “Now we are directing to view Indonesia with a broader lens, that intolerance exists in minority areas, intolerance exists in majority areas,” he said.