Religious harmony law imperative

Religious harmony law imperative

From Koran Tempo

Indonesia's pluralistic society badly needs a law on religious
harmony because the existing rules on coexistence among religious
groups impose no penalties, which has led to serious communal
conflicts.

The regulations governing this aspect of national life are
still in the form of decrees from the Minister of Religious
Affairs and joint decrees from the Minister of Religious Affairs
and the Minister of Home Affairs.

A law would raise the status of such regulations and the
imposition of penalties will increase the force of the law.
Penalties would deter belligerent groups from resorting to
burning buildings of worship.

The formulation of this law should be discussed with an open
mind and without negative prejudice. At a workshop held by the
religious affairs ministry's research and development agency,
most participants agreed with this idea.

NUHRISON
Tangerang, Banten