Indonesian Deputy Speaker Backs MUI Recommendation to Ban LGBT Propaganda

Hidayat Nur Wahid, a prominent figure in Indonesian politics and a deputy speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly, has voiced strong support for recommendations made by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) concerning LGBTQ+ individuals. The Congress of Indonesian Muslims' eighth congress urged the government and parliament to enact regulations to prevent and tackle LGBTQ+ activities.

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We certainly support what the Congress of Indonesian Muslims recommended regarding the prevention and sanctions against perpetrators and spreaders of LGBTQ propaganda. It is very appropriate if MUI and all Islamic organizations unanimously recommend this.

Nur Wahid stated that he fully supports the congress's recommendations for preventing and sanctioning those involved in LGBTQ+ propaganda. He emphasized that this is a necessary step, especially given the unanimous recommendation from MUI and various Islamic organizations. He also invoked a Quranic verse, Surat At Tahrim verse 6, urging believers to protect themselves and their families from hellfire, suggesting that Islamic organizations are well-versed in this directive and can implement preventive measures through educational institutions like pesantren, madrasahs, and schools.

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O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is people and stones.

Addressing the state's role, Nur Wahid highlighted Indonesia's constitutional duty to protect its people and its status as a law-based nation. He asserted that the recommendations and demands regarding LGBTQ+ issues must be constitutionally fulfilled. He pointed to the ongoing revision of the Criminal Code, which includes new penalties for sexual abuse, encompassing same-sex acts. This revision, he noted, is supported by a presidential regulation identifying LGBT as a non-military threat, thus reinforcing the agreement between parliament and the government on the matter.

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The state is mandated by the constitution to protect all of Indonesia's territory. This is a law-based country. Therefore, according to Hidayat, the recommendations and demands of the Congress of Indonesian Muslims regarding LGBT must be fulfilled constitutionally.

Furthermore, Nur Wahid stressed that Indonesia, as a Pancasila state, must uphold its principles, particularly the second principle of just and civilized humanity, which is rooted in belief in God. He also mentioned that experts consider LGBTQ+ identities to be a form of deviation and illness. To this end, he proposed that MUI collaborate with non-Muslim leaders and organizations to counter LGBTQ+ propaganda, advocating for a united front based on shared humanitarian values.

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Of course, LGBT is included in this. This is an expansion of the meaning of adultery from the old Criminal Code. From that definition (regarding) LGBT, it has been corrected with the new provision in Article 414 that what is criminalized is sexual abuse of the same sex.