JAKARTA - Constitutional law expert Yusril Ihza Mahendra also commented on Yaqut Cholil Qaumas alias Gus Yaqut's statement that the establishment of the Ministry of Religion was a special gift for Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
According to Yusril, who is also the general chairman of the Crescent Star Party, the statement made by Gus Yaqut caused a commotion. This should not be conveyed by state officials.
"Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qaumas' remarks about Kemeng are not a "gift" to Muslims in general, but a special gift for NU only to make noise. Such remarks have no benefit for the benefit of Muslims from any mass organizations", said Yusril in an official statement, Jakarta, Tuesday, October 26.
According to Yusril, who used the term New Order first, what Gus Yaqut said could disrupt the internal harmony of religious communities. Whereas one of the tasks of the Ministry of Religion is to maintain and maintain internal and inter-religious harmony.
"For me, who studies constitutional law and the history of the Indonesian state administration, the existence of the Ministry of Religion is not a "gift" from anyone", said Yusril firmly.
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The existence of the Ministry of Religion, continued Yusril, is a logical consequence of a state based on Pancasila which has been mutually agreed upon. Where Pancasila is the middle way between a state "based on Islam" and a secular state that "separates religious affairs from state affairs".
"As stated by Prof. Supomo in the BPUPKI (Investigating Agency for Preparatory Efforts for Independence) session. The existence of the Ministry of Religion has been proposed by Muhammad Yamin in the BPUPKI session", said Yusril.
On this occasion, Yusril said that although in Indonesia the majority of the people are Muslims, Islam is not declared as the official state religion like in Malaysia.
Malaysia has made Islam the official religion of the state, where the King (Yang Dipertuan Agung) is the head of Islam. All Islamic religious affairs are handled directly by the state.
While the state based on Pancasila makes religious teachings a source of motivation and inspiration in building the nation and state. Therefore, the state is obliged to serve and facilitate the interests of religious people in carrying out the guidance of their religious teachings.
"That's why I say that the existence of the Ministry of Religion is not a gift for anyone. The existence of the Ministry of Religion with the main task of handling organizing and facilitating religious affairs is a logical consequence of a state based on Pancasila", said Yusril.
Previously reported, Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas alias Gus Yaqut, called the Ministry of Religion a 'state gift' for Nahdlatul Ulama or NU.
Gus Yaqut's statement was delivered at an International Webinar held by RMI-PBNU and uploaded to TVNU's YouTube account, Wednesday, October 20.
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