Yusril: No Fundamental Problem with Contents of 'Islam ala Prabowo' Book
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections (Menko Kumham Imipas), Yusril Ihza Mahendra, considers that, in general, there is no fundamental problem with the contents of the book ‘Islam ala Prabowo: Cara Prabowo Subianto Mengamalkan Ajaran Islam’, which has once again drawn public attention.
When contacted in Jakarta on Tuesday, he said the attention and debate that have emerged recently were largely triggered by the book’s title, which can give rise to all sorts of perceptions and interpretations.
He explained that he was never consulted or asked for his opinion regarding the book’s title.
Therefore, according to him, the decision on the title rests entirely with those who compiled and published the book.
The minister said the debate over the book also needs to be placed in the context of today’s habits in consuming information.
He noted that many people tend to view a title as representing the entire contents without taking the time to read and understand the book as a whole.
“Nowadays people tend to be impatient with reading a fairly long book. They read the title and then assume it represents the entire contents,” he said.
After that, he said, people pass judgement based on their own point of view, often even based on their own interests.
Therefore, Yusril cautioned that an assessment of a book, particularly an academic work, should not be based solely on the title or circulating snippets of information.
He argued that an understanding of the whole content and the context of the discussion is important so that any judgement does not stray from the actual substance.
“I think we need to get into the habit of reading and understanding the substance first before passing judgement. We should not end up merely debating the title while the contents of the book itself have never been read properly,” Yusril said.
Furthermore, he emphasised that he played no role in conceiving or funding the publication of the book, and only provided information as a source during the material-gathering process.
“My position in that book is clear: I was someone who was interviewed. I am not a sponsor, nor the person who initiated its publication,” he asserted.
The book ‘Islam ala Prabowo’ was launched as part of the 2025 National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) of the National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) in Jakarta on 26 August 2025.
According to BAZNAS statements and coverage at the launch, the book’s writing was said to have been initiated by the Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Ahmad Muzani together with the Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Kiai Haji Anwar Iskandar.
Regarding the inclusion of his name in the book’s copyright section, the minister said it was never discussed with him beforehand.
He assessed that, if linked to the provisions of the Copyright Law, the inclusion needs to be viewed proportionally because the book involved many writers and sources.
“If there is anything at all, perhaps it relates to the interview section with me, but I was never consulted about that inclusion. I myself do not make much of the copyright issue,” the minister said.