REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) lauded the Constitutional Court (MK) for rejecting all requests from Ahmadiyah on blasphemy article. According to MUI, MK has made the right decision because the article was not contradictory Constitution of Indonesia Republic 1945 (UUD 1945).

“Ahmadiyah lawsuit against Prevention and Defamation of Religion (PNPS) is finally rejected by Constitutional Court and it’s correct,” said MUI Law Commission deputy chairman, Ikhsan Abdullah on Tuesday (July 24).

Ikhsan said PNPS Law in 1965 is not contradictory to the 1945 Constitution. He assessed the law is necessary to to avoid free interpretation regardless main principles of religion by ignoring the methodology used by experts in interpreting the religious teaching.

“Otherwise, if the petition is granted, then it will create ambiguity and out of the purpose of holding the norm," Ikhsan added.

A number of lawyers representing Indonesian nationals involved in Ahmadiyah community attend judicial review of Law Number 1 Year 1995 on Prevention and Defamation of Religion (PNPS) at Constitutional Court, Jakarta, Tuesday (November 28, 2017).

PNPS Law prohibits and prevents a person or group who wants to create their own interpretation in public and even ask for public support. Therefore, the Constitutional Court's decision to reject Ahmadiyah lawsuit is correct.

“Interpretation of the norms in religion must be based on interpretations that are acknowledged by the experts and their religious adherents, not interpreted freely by each individual and then ask for general support," Ikhsan explained.

Constitutional Court (MK) read the decision on Monday (July 23). The legal advisor of president and House of Representatives (DPR), as well as parties from LDDI, YLBHI, MUI, and National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), attended the hearing.

Ahmadiyah lawsuit was first filed on last August 25, 2017. Constitutional Court has held trial for 13 times.

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