Voices against proposal on 'syariah' law heard

Voices against proposal on 'syariah' law heard

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Voices disagreeing with the proposal to
include Islamic syariah law in the 1945 Constitution were heard
throughout the country on Monday.

Many people warned of the danger of social segregation if it
was passed.

The director of the Center for Islamic Studies at the Islamic
University of Indonesia (UII) in Yogarkarta, Imam Syafiie, said a
wide-scale backlash to the proposal was possible

He added that it could trigger conflict within Muslims
themselves.

"Islamic organizations like Nahdlatul Ulama (NU),
Muhammadiyah, and Ahmadiyah have different views," Imam noted.

Imam said the country's founding fathers had anticipated such
a conflict, and therefore they did not put syariah in the
Constitution.

Sociologist Abdul Munir Mulkhan from the Institute of Islamic
Studies (IAIN) Sunan Kalijaga also warned of serious
consequences.

"Our founding fathers were wise. They didn't insert an
obligation for Muslims to comply with Islamic law in the
constitution despite the fact that the majority of the population
were Muslims," Abdul noted.

He pointed out that it could also provoke non-Muslims to
demand a similar clause.

"And this is obviously dangerous to national unity. Social
segregation based on religious identity will sharpen," he said.

Abdul emphasized that the people were free to follow any
religion or belief without limitation.

"All religions and faiths can live here," he said.

The United Development Party (PPP) and the Crescent Star Party
factions are pushing for the inclusion of syariah in an amendment
to Article 29 of the Constitution, despite resistance from major
factions.

In Denpasar, Bali, several Hindu-based organizations in the
predominantly Hindu province, staged a peaceful protest at the
local council building.

"We reject any plan to include syariah in the Constitution, no
matter how small or insignificant the amendment is," said
executive director of the Institute of Dharma Strategic Studies
(LKSD), I Wayan Jondra.

They also demanded that all Hindu Balinese legislators at the
Assembly block the proposal.

"Don't just sit there and keep quiet. Let the people know your
stand on this critical issue," I Wayan remarked.

In East Nusa Tenggara, where most of the population are
Christian, a group of university students took to the streets in
Kupang to deplore the plan. They threatened a separatist backlash
if it was passed.

"If the syariah obligation is inserted, it means that we must
prepare for self-determination," said protest leader Stefen
Messakh.

The provincial council also reportedly sent a letter on Friday
to Assembly Speaker Amien Rais protesting the issue. (44/yac/prb)