Indonesia: The Government Cannot Ban a Faith, Says Law Minsiter Djoko Suyanto:

The Ahmadiyah issues has once again triggered a debate after the attack against their community in Cikeusik, Banten, on February 6. Three Ahmadiyah followers were killed during the incident. Following this case, a number of regional governments issued bylaws banning Ahmadiyah activities.

Djoko Suyanto, Coordinating Minister, Political, Legal & Security Affairs

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Tempo Interactive
By TEMPO | March 7, 2011

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Government has not taken any steps to address demands that Ahmadiyah in the country be dissolved. But the Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Djoko Suyanto, said that the Government cannot ban a religion. “We cannot ban a faith in anyway,” Djoko told Tempo yesterday.

Meanwhile, on the issue of bylaws forbidding Ahmadiyah activities, he added that the regulation must refer to two laws, which is the 1945 Constitution articles 28 and 29 and the joint ministerial decree on Ahmadiyah. “The two regulations must be the basis of the bylaws,” he said.


Articles 28 and 29 regulate people’s religious freedom and the joint ministerial decree specifically warns Ahmadiyah to stop the spread of its religion because it is considered to be a deviation of Islam.

The Ahmadiyah issues has once again triggered a debate after the attack against their community in Cikeusik, Banten, on February 6. Three Ahmadiyah followers were killed during the incident. Following this case, a number of regional governments issued bylaws banning Ahmadiyah activities.


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