Legislation for mixed marriages

Legislation for mixed marriages

From Kompas

Hats off to Henry Siahaan and Yuni Shara, who both believe in God, for being courageous enough to go public with their "mixed" marriage. By mixed marriage it is meant that they both come from different religions, or, to put it in Henry's words, "are the same in faith". I agree to his term because it prevents us from being hypocrites and calls on us to respect each other's religious beliefs. It is hard for me to understand why Indonesia, a country with such diverse religions and beliefs, has no law regulating "mixed" marriages.

Indonesia is not a state based on religion. It is based on Pancasila (five principles), the first principle of which is the belief in One Supreme God. The absence of a law regulating "mixed" marriages has forced couples of different religions to go abroad to get married. Unfortunately, not all couples can afford to do that. It is really a shame that they cannot have a legal marriage at home. Or, in other words, they are being inhumanely and unjustly treated by the state.

As Henry, a public figure, announces his "mixed" marriage, it is hoped that he will also spearhead a fight for the drafting of a law on mixed marriages so that any couple with different religious backgrounds can get married at home.

TUTI EKAWATI

Bekasi, West Java