Jakarta –
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) warned regional heads about the importance of religious freedom. Jokowi said every religion has the same things in worship.
“Later on, while also meeting the regents and mayors. Regarding freedom of worship and freedom of religion. This is careful. Those who are Christians, Catholics, Hindus and Confucianists are careful. They have the same rights in worship. Have the same rights in matters freedom of religion and worship,” Jokowi said at the National Coordination Meeting of Regional Heads and FKPDs throughout Indonesia, Tuesday (17/1/2023).
Jokowi emphasized that religion and worship are guaranteed by the constitution. He asked that each regional head understand this. Jokowi does not want the constitution to be defeated by an agreement.
“Religion and worship are guaranteed by our constitution, guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution Article 29 paragraph 2. Once again guaranteed by the constitution. This must understand. The Dandim, the chief of the regional police chief, must understand this, the Prosecutor’s Office. Don’t let the name of the constitution be defeated by an agreement. The constitution must not lose to the agreement,” he said.
Jokowi also gave an example with the meeting of the Forum for Religious Harmony. He also doesn’t want the constitution to lose to Perwali.
“There were meetings, FKUB for example, agreed not to allow building places of worship. Be careful, our constitution guarantees that. There are mayoral regulations or regent instructions, be careful, we all have to know this problem. Our constitution gives freedom religion and worship even if only in one, two or three cities or districts, but be careful about this,” he explained.
Jokowi conveyed this because he still saw the rise of the problem of freedom of religion. He felt sad when he heard news of cases like this.
“Because I see it’s still happening. Sometimes I think it’s that hard for people to worship. It’s sad when we hear about it,” he said.
Also watch the video: Crazy video demolishing houses of worship in Kaltara, this is what the Indonesian army says
(rdp/imk)
