MUI Asks The Government Not To Take Action In Rempang Before Everything Is Clear

Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for Da'wah and Ukhuwah Muhammad Cholil Nafis (right), together with Secretary General MUI Amirsyah Tambunan (central), and Chairman of the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) M. Jusuf Kalla/ANTARA/Sean Muhamad

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) asked the Government and relevant stakeholders not to take any action on the island of Rempang, Riau Islands before everything was confirmed clear and clear.

"Especially regarding Rempang, we ask the government not to do anything before it is clear," said Head of the MUI Rempang Island Case Team Muhammad Cholil Nafis quoted by ANTARA, Friday, October 6.

Cholil asked relevant stakeholders to first mediate, dialogue, or approval of the people of Pulau Rempang, before relocating.

He said relocation is allowed, as long as it still respects people's sovereignty and respects the local wisdom that has been formed.

"Therefore, the government needs to communicate everything that will happen to the community well," he said, who is the chairman of the MUI in the field of Da'wah and Ukhuwah.

However, Cholil emphasized that his party was not anti-investment. MUI actually supports all kinds of government efforts in improving the country's economy, including investment.

However, he continued, all investments made should not eliminate the sovereignty of the state, society, and welfare.

He asked all relevant stakeholders to carry out investment projects properly, including in providing compensation and with the right procedures.

Previously, the Head of the Center for the Development of Free Trade Areas and Free Ports (KPBPBB) and Special Economic Zones (SEZ) of the Batam Entrepreneurship Agency (BP Batam) Irfan Syakir Widyasa said the investment development project on Pulau Rempang was aimed at creating prosperity for the wider community.

"Because what was built in Rempang was for the welfare of the wider community, both the workforce and the people there were actually given large compensation," said Irfan on Wednesday (4/10).

He explained that the obstacles that had been faced during investment development on Pulau Rempang were caused by the delivery of information to people who had not been maximal until foreign interests and interests were involved.

"So far, because the information may not have arrived because there are also many interests besides the pilwalkot, gubernatorial election, presidential election, but apparently the incoming investment is also desired by other countries," said Irfan.