DPR urges consistent implementation of Unhan policy allowing hijab

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sukamta, has urged that the policy on the absence of a ban on wearing the hijab within the Defence University (Unhan) be implemented consistently.

Sukamta expressed support for Unhan Rector Regulation Number 28 of 2025 concerning the Guidelines for the Life of Unhan Cadets, which states that there is no prohibition on the hijab. Moreover, he noted that innovations in hijab designs are now highly diverse.

“I encourage that the space for the freedom to wear the hijab be maintained consistently down to the level of implementation in the field,” said Sukamta in Jakarta on Monday.

For example, he said, the basic military training process (latsarmil) should continue to permit the hijab as long as the model used supports freedom of movement during training.

According to him, many athletes are also able to wear hijab variants that are safe and still comply with religious requirements.

“All relevant parties at Unhan must be in line with this regulation and there must be no further deviations in its implementation,” he said.

Sukamta stated that the Unhan Rector Regulation actually places the value of piety as part of the Cadet code of honour.

Cadets also need to be directed to become individuals who are devout in their respective religions, both in their official lives and in their daily lives.

“Implementation in the field and the Cadets can comply with existing regulations in the service while still being able to practise their respective religious teachings because this is a human right,” he said.

Previously, Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin confirmed that female cadets of the Defence University (Unhan) who are Muslim may wear the hijab during their education.

The statement was conveyed by the Ministry of Defence in the form of an official press release after a female Unhan student went viral on social media for choosing to leave because she was prohibited from wearing the hijab during her education period.

The controversy had been widely discussed on social media regarding an admission by someone who chose to leave Unhan because she was asked to remove her hijab by the selection committee.

The story was previously uploaded to the Instagram account @wafaahdina some time ago.