MUI Explanation That Didn't Prepare Netflix's Haram Fatwa

JAKARTA - The social media scene is shocked by the discourse of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) that it will issue a fatwa haram for Netflix shows, because it contains negative content. MUI denied the news about Netflix's haram fatwa.

Secretary of the MUI Fatwa Commission, Asrorun Niam Sholeh, explained that MUI has never discussed giving fatwas to digital platforms, including Netflix. The MUI also clearly does not plan to issue a fatwa to Netflix.

What has been done by the MUI regarding social media, so far is to stipulate a fatwa on the guidelines for sharing through broadcast media, particularly social media, regarding what is and is not allowed.

"The reports that say 'MUI has issued a fatwa on Netflix haram' or 'MUI is ready to issue a fatwa on Netflix's haram' is not true," he explained in an official statement received by VOI, Friday, January 24.

Niam explained that the MUI Fatwa Commission is indeed in charge of stipulating various fatwas related to social affairs, as well as issues of worship. This commission also follows developments in the information and communication technology sector along with the problems they cause.

"The MUI has never discussed a digital platform for service providers, including Netflix, which has recently been fussed over. We also have no plans to discuss it because we already have a comprehensive fatwa on congregation through social media". Such is the release delivered by the Chairman of the MUI Fatwa Commission, Hasanudin AF and Secretary of Asrorun Niam Sholeh.

Nevertheless, MUI still emphasizes that digital service providers are prohibited from selling, distributing and / or publishing prohibited content, both legally and religiously. If there is a violation, the relevant officials must be responsible and obliged to take law enforcement action.

The issue of negative content on Netflix has become a hot topic lately. That reason was also used by the Telkom Group to block access to the digital entertainment platform from the United States.

Apart from the negative content, Netflix is also facing tax issues. Since operating in Indonesia in 2016, Netflix has never paid taxes because there are no regulations that regulate the taxation of over-the-top (OTT) companies, such as Netflix and Spotify.