MUI to issue edict on election

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) will cap its ongoing national meeting on Tuesday by issuing a recommendation regarding the 2004 elections.

Chairman of the event's organizing committee Ichwan Sam said the recommendation was being discussed by the council's edict- making body.

He said the recommendation would be addressed to both political parties and voters, and was aimed at greater democracy.

He said political parties would be asked not to abuse verses of the Koran for the sake of their political interests, and called on voters to exercise wisdom when responding to such parties.

The MUI would also issue edicts on terrorism, bank interest and the way in which the start of Ramadhan should be determined. The council will also criticize a number of bills for violating sharia, including draft laws on interreligious harmony and pornography. -- Antara