Human Rights Minister Proposes Religious Freedom Law, Highlights Intolerance Cases

Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has proposed the formation of a Religious Freedom Act. Pigai highlighted cases of intolerance that have occurred. He made this statement during a working meeting with Commission XIII of the House of Representatives at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (7/4/2026). Pigai said that cases of intolerance frequently occur in various regions. “The further east you go, even Muslims experience suffering. NTT is the same. In Bali, those who are not of the majority religion there also experience suffering. Other regions experience the same,” said Pigai. Pigai said he has spoken with the Minister of Religious Affairs. However, he said there are still differences in views. “The Ministry of Human Rights has proposed it, spoken with the Minister of Religious Affairs, I want to present the Religious Freedom Act for the Faithful. But the Minister said, ‘It can’t be done, Mr Pigai, if it’s the Protection of the Faithful Act’,” said Pigai. He assessed that ‘Protection’ does not cover all groups of beliefs. Especially for adherents of local beliefs. “What about those with Wiwitan religion or local religions? So we propose the Religious Freedom Act for the Faithful, but for now this country is still guided by the Protection of the Faithful Act,” he said. “So he uses protection, I propose freedom. This is still a debate,” he added. Pigai also dismissed the notion that West Java is a region with many intolerance cases. According to him, intolerance cases rarely occur in West Java. “That’s just a negative opinion that has been built up for a long time, as if West Java is intolerant. This is based on my experience, based on my monitoring, based on my research. But West Java only had one case that emerged, and it’s considered wow, West Java is extraordinarily intolerant,” he said.