Governor to quiz mayor on Muslim attire directive
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.