Mahfud MD Denies Legalizing Atheism and Communism in Today's Memory, July 12th 2012

Mahfud MD who served as Chairman of the Constitutional Court in the 2008-2013 era. (Antara)

JAKARTA – Today's memory, 12 years ago, July 12 2012, the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK), Mahfud MD denied legalizing atheism and communism. He said his statement had been quoted carelessly by various mass media.

Previously, Mahfud said that there were no rules that would punish an individual for adhering to atheist or communist beliefs. However, someone could be punished if they forced their understanding. Mahfud's statement is considered to legalize both ideologies in Indonesia.

Communism no longer has a place in Indonesia. This condition led to the 30 September Movement (G30S) in 1965. The kidnapping and murder of a number of Army (TNI) generals was considered a historical disgrace. The Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) is predicted to be behind it.

The G30S incident also invited anger from all over Indonesia. They strongly condemned communism and the PKI. The party bearing the hammer and sickle symbol was encouraged to disband. The shoot of Ulam's love arrives. MPRS Decree No. XXV of 1966 prohibited the spread of the teachings of Communism, Leninism and Marxism.

Illustration of atheism. (Huffington Post) 

This legal product has become a guideline that everything related to communism in Indonesia is prohibited. The Indonesian people support him. Because communism is familiar with atheism which is not in accordance with the Pancasila philosophy.

President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) wanted to revoke the MPRS decree. However, Gus Dur quickly stepped down. Problems arise. The Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Mahfud MD, issued a statement that gave rise to polemics.

Mahfud said that an individual who adheres to atheist or communist beliefs cannot be punished. He based his views on the fact that adhering to an ideology has entered the realm of one's freedom. This means that individuals do not violate the law just because they adhere to a certain ideology.

They could be punished if they wanted to revive the PKI. So it is clear that this is contrary to Pancasila.

"Since there was the Constitutional Court, the freedom of individual atheists and communists is free to carry out what they believe in in Indonesia. But they must not interfere with the freedom of other people, especially people who adhere to certain religions. Freedom must be considered the same," said Mahfud, quoted on the kompas.com page, July 10 2012.

Problems arise. Mahfud's statement implies that he is legalizing atheist and communist ideology in Indonesia. The general public also reacted. Mahfud MD was criticized. All people think that communism and atheism are clearly prohibited in Indonesia.

Mahfud also spoke out because of the big reaction to his views. Mahfud provided clarification on his statement on July 12 2012. Mahfud considered that many mass media carelessly quoted his opinions regarding communism and atheism.

In England, atheist beliefs can be spread through public facilities such as city buses, an action that is prohibited in Indonesia. (BBC Indonesia)

He asked the mass media to quote his statement in full. Mahfud revealed that he was only explaining matters of individual freedom in adhering to ideology. It is no justification that he, in his capacity as chairman of the Constitutional Court, legalized atheism and communism.

“My comments were not all taken up by the media. Finally, several paragraphs were taken, then included in the news. Try to show which chapter and verse (punishment for atheists and communists). "This is different from cases of murder and corruption where the punishment is clear," said Mahfud as quoted by Tempo page, July 12 2012.