Responding To BNPT Proposal For Houses Of Worship Controlled By The Government, MUI Quoted Article 29 Paragraph 2 Of The 1945 Constitution

Illustration of congregational prayers during the pandemic. (Between)

JAKARTA - Deputy General Chairperson (Waketum) of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Anwar Abbas said freedom in worship and opinion in Indonesia is a right protected by the constitution. He expressed this statement in response to the proposal of the Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Komjen Pol. Rycko Amelza Dahniel regarding the mechanism for controlling houses of worship in Indonesia. "Freedom of worship and opinion in Indonesia is already a right protected by the constitution," Anwar said in a written statement in Jakarta, Tuesday, September 5, confiscated by Antara.

Anwar revealed that the 1945 Constitution (UUD) Article 29 paragraph 2 has said that the State guarantees the independence of everyone to embrace their respective religions and to worship according to their religion and belief.

In addition, he also revealed that the 1945 Constitution Article 28E paragraph 3 has stated that everyone has the right to freedom of association, assembly, and opinion. "This prioritizes the security approach and ignores approaches that are more dialogical, objective, and rational," he said who is also the Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah for MSMEs, Community Empowerment, and the Environment.

Therefore, Anwar suggested that the prevention of radicalism and intolerance be carried out in other ways, not using a house of worship control mechanism. According to him, this method is not in accordance with the democratic spirit that has been fought for by the Indonesian nation so far. For this reason, Anwar Abbas encouraged BNPT to do more in accordance with the soul and basic philosophy of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), namely Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.