Governor to quiz mayor on Muslim attire directive

Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Governor Sutiyoso looked surprised on Tuesday upon learning that the West Jakarta mayor had instructed students to wear Muslim attire on Fridays, saying he would ask the mayor to explain the controversial directive.

"I will phone him (the mayor) and ask what he wants with his instruction. I have yet to read the instruction even though it was written six month ago," Sutiyoso told reporters at City Hall.

He was referring to instruction No.1/2001 signed by Mayor Sarimun Hadisaputro. It is titled "Activity program to improve faith and belief in God and good behavior in public schools in West Jakarta."

A copy of the instruction was apparently sent to the governor, but Sutiyoso said he had not read it. He then asked The Jakarta Post for a copy.

Asked whether the instruction should be revoked due its controversy, Sutiyoso said, "I cannot decide, I should first ask the mayor."

Several legal experts have criticized the instruction, saying that to oblige students to wear Muslim attire on Fridays was unconstitutional and violated human rights.

The experts, including lawyer and women's activist Nurjahbani Katjasungkana and human rights lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis, also doubted that the instruction would achieve its goal to improve students' faith and behavior.

They regretted that the mayoralty had attempted to intervene in people's private affairs in a society known for its pluralism.

Many Muslim students have said that having to dress differently from non-Muslim students who wear school uniform makes them uncomfortable.

Amid public protest, West Jakarta Deputy Mayor Amiruddin S. Lubis denied on Monday that the mayoralty obligated students to wear Muslim dress.

"It was just advice from the mayoralty, not an instruction," Amiruddin said.

He claimed that students were expected to dress decently instead of wearing miniskirts, which he claimed girls often wore to school.

According to the instruction, students are also obliged to perform various activities, including praying before class.