Viral Video Muhammad Kece Allegedly Insulting Islam, Minister Of Religion Yaqut Responds, Reminds Can Be Sentenced

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Choumas (Photo: Screenshot of the Presidential Secretariat Youtube/Diah Ayu)

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas warned that hate speech and insults to religious symbols can be punished because they have the potential to damage religious harmony.

Yaqut's statement was delivered in response to the viral YouTuber Muhammad Kece who was suspected of blaspheming Islam.

"Submitting hate speech and insulting religious symbols is a crime. The offense is a complaint and can be processed by the police, including violating Law No. 1/PNPS/1965 concerning the Prevention of Abuse and/or Blasphemy of Religion," said Minister of Religion Yaqut in Jakarta, Antara, Sunday, 22 August.

The Minister of Religion also asked religious preachers not to make public spaces to convey messages containing hate speech or insults. According to the Minister of Religion, lectures and study activities should be used as a space for education and enlightenment.

Lectures are a medium to increase public religious understanding of their respective religious beliefs and teachings, not to insult each other's beliefs and religious teachings.

"In the midst of efforts to continue to advance the nation and deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, all parties should focus on efforts to knit togetherness, unity, and solidarity, not make noise that can injure national brotherhood," he said.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Religion has been trying to mainstream the strengthening of religious moderation. This is done to all stakeholders, starting from ASN, harmony forums, including lecturers, and the wider community.

There are four indicators that have been strengthened, namely national commitment, tolerance, anti-violence, and acceptance of tradition.

"In the context of religious lectures, strengthening the four indicators of moderation is important and strategic so that the lecturers can continue to carry out the mandate of knowledge in presenting religious messages that in addition to strengthening the faith of the people, are also enlightening and inspiring," he said.