Hidayat Nur Wahid Discusses Tolerance After The Paul Zhang Case, Pushes For The Bill On Protection Of Religious Symbols To Be Ratified

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly, Hidayat Nur Wahid, has pushed for the passage of the Bill on Protection of Religious Figures and Symbols to maintain harmony and tolerance among religious communities in Indonesia.

Following that, the case of alleged religious blasphemy was repeated by Joseph Paul Zhang, an Indonesian citizen who was suspected of being in Germany.

"This problem should be resolved comprehensively, with the passing of a special law or lex specialis. Because this problem keeps on repeating itself, and the criminal sanctions in the Criminal Code are proven not to create a deterrent effect, "Hidayat told reporters, Monday, April 19.

It is known, a man named Jozeph Paul Zhang suddenly became the subject of conversation after the video uploaded on his Youtube channel entitled 'Fasting in Islam' was viral.

He also challenged a number of parties who could report him to the police on suspicion of blasphemy to receive Rp. 1 million. At the moment when he gave the challenge, Jozeph also claimed to be the 26th Prophet.

"In fact, the perpetrators are getting more courageous and challenging the legal apparatus by saying they are welcome to report themselves to the police, instead luring them with gifts," he continued.

The deputy chairman of the Syuro Council of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) assessed that the National Police must be able to prove that the Police can enforce the law fairly and indiscriminately by immediately arresting the perpetrators of religious blasphemy. As well, imposing a maximum sentence so that a similar case does not happen again.

"Do not let a statement that the suspect is mentally ill, such as the case of blasphemy against Islam in the form of vandalism or violence against previous religious figures. "Because if he is mentally ill, how can he easily enter and exit Indonesia, and now he is reportedly in Hong Kong," he said.

From the point of view of positive law in Indonesia, said HNW, the perpetrators can still be investigated even though they are abroad. Referring to the principle of active nationality as stipulated in article 5 of the Criminal Code that Indonesian criminal law applies to Indonesian citizens wherever they are.

"And even if he is not an Indonesian citizen, our Criminal Code can also reach out with the principle of passive nationality in Article 4, where Indonesian citizens or foreigners who commit criminal acts outside the territory of Indonesia can be convicted as long as the act violates Indonesia's interests. Moreover, this clearly wants to play one another between religious communities in Indonesia, "he explained.

HNW added that these two principles were also strengthened by Article 2 of the ITE Law which adheres to the extraterritorial principle. Where the ITE Law applies to every person whose actions have legal consequences.

"So, I support Bareskrim to immediately arrest the perpetrators of blasphemy and religious symbols who terrorize radically, especially Muslims who are worshiping in the middle of the month of Ramadan," he said.

"Once again, the DPR and the Government need to create a complete legal instrument by immediately discussing and ratifying the Bill on the Protection of Religious Figures and Religious Symbols which has been agreed to become the 2021 National Legislation Program," emphasized HNW.