Camelia Pasandaran & Carla Isati – Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi has hit out at the Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI) for "spreading lies" in the wake of the government's decision to revise local bylaws that prohibit regulate the sale of alcohol.

"Indonesian religious people like to comment, it's their hobby," Gamawan told the Jakarta Globe on Wednesday. "They know nothing about the case they are commenting on; they like to spread lies that tend to be slander. Why is MUI also commenting without bothering to check [the facts]."

The ministry on Tuesday was forced to reject reports by religious groups that it had revoked regional bylaws that limit or ban the sale of alcohol, in direct contravention of national legislation or presidential instructions. The ministry said it was simply revising the bylaws.

MUI and the conservative Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia on Wednesday continued their criticism of the government. HTI spokesman Muhammad Ismail Yusanto said revoking the bylaws would lead to an increase in crime.

"Legalizing the distribution of the alcoholic drinks is dangerous for people's morality. With the bylaws, crime rates could be minimized."

MUI chairman Amidhan said: "The nation has not recovered from the multi-dimensional crisis, moral degradation. Alcoholic beverages are one of the sources of addictive crime."

Gamawan, a devout Muslim, said he had not revoked the bylaws in three regions, namely Bandung, Indramayu and Tangerang. He reiterated that he had sent letters to the regional governments asking that they revise bylaws that contravened higher laws.

"Islam teaches us to ask," he said. "So, get to know the problem before coming up with lies."

Yusanto, asked to comment on the Gamawan's clarification, said the sale of alcohol should be banned entirely.