Sharia in Aceh seen as biased against ordinary people

Sharia in Aceh seen as biased against ordinary people

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Bireun

Various elements of society in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam view
the implementation of Sharia in the province as discriminatory
and as not touching on core issues.

"If the government is serious, it should implement local laws
in regard to serious violations such as theft and corruption,"
said legal practitioner Rufriadi on Saturday.

The statement was issued following public canings that were
carried out by the Sharia court on 27 petty gamblers after Friday
prayers in Bireun.

All 27 of them were accused of placing Rp 1,000 (10 U.S.
cents) bets in an illegal lottery.

Most of the by-laws ratified by the government involved minor
offenses such as gambling, adultery and drinking liquor, and only
ordinary people were liable to receive such punishments.

Whereas in fact the most pressing problem facing Aceh was
corruption.

Rufriadi expressed concern about the implementation of Islamic
law which he deemed as discriminatory and that could lead to new
conflicts among the people of Aceh.

Apart from being discriminatory, he also questioned the
overlapping of Sharia with Indonesia's common law.

"The Supreme Court should have issued a clear ruling on this
matter. Which law is to be applied; the common law, or Islamic
law?" he said.

He noted that the caned offenders had already been detained
for 22 days and had not been given the chance to be represented
by their lawyers.

"They faced dual punishments, based on the common law and
Islamic law," said Rufriadi.

Meanwhile, people in Bireun have expressed their
disappointment and have criticized the implementation of Islamic
law as they consider it was solely aimed at the common people.

"We have received many protests and complaints from the
public. They are doubtful about Islamic law," said the
coordinator of the Aceh Students and Youth Forum in Bireun, Anwar
Afandi.

According to Anwar, Islamic law seems to be enforced against
ordinary people while transgressions committed by corrupt high-
ranking government officials are overlooked.

He expects that if state officials were to violate the law,
they should also receive judicial redress regardless of their
backgrounds.

"Islamic law should not discriminate," he said.

His organization has doubts whether the Islamic Law Office has
the courage to try state officials involved in corruption.

"If they dare take this step, then they should be commended,"
added Anwar.