Bambang Muryanto, Sleman, Yogyakarta – Sleman Regent Sri Purnomo has been criticized by activists of the Yogyakarta Anti Violence Community (Makaryo) for attending a discussion forum on Shia held on Sunday at Gadjah Mada University's (UGM) Masjid Kampus (campus mosque).
The activists issued a statement on Monday asking the President, the Home minister, Yogyakarta governor and Sleman legislative council to give the regent a stern warning to remind him to uphold the Pancasila state ideology and not to be involved in what they deemed narrow religious identity politics.
"As a public official he has to practice Bhinneka Tunggal Ika [Unity in Diversity], pluralism and solidarity in humanity and not be trapped in such politics that is far from the spirit of the founding fathers," Tri Wahyu KH of Makaryo said in a press conference on Monday.
He said Purnomo's presence at the discussion on a book published by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) titled "Mengenal dan Mewaspadai Penyimpangan Syiah di Indonesia' (Recognizing and being Alert to Shia Deviation in Indonesia) tarnished human rights and might violate the 1945 Constitution.
Quoting Article 28 (a) of Law No 32/2004 on regional administration, Tri said that as a regional head Purnomo was not allowed to make decisions that benefited or discriminated against a certain group. An online media outlet reported that during the discussion Purnomo led a movement to reject Shia teachings.
However, chairman of the UGM Shalahuddin congregation, Ali Ibrahim, expressed regret that the online media outlet had inaccurately reported the event.
Another Makaryo activist, Damairia Pakpahan, questioned why Purnomo himself had not denied the news if it was inaccurate. She expressed concern that without clarification the news would be used to legitimize anti-Shia movements.
"Certain groups could manipulate the news for their respective interests, especially as the anti-Shia movement is gaining momentum in Yogyakarta," Damairia said.
She also said that questioning Shia principles could tarnish human rights. "Freedom in democracy cannot be interpreted as freedom to attack other faiths," she said.
The same regret was also expressed by Yogyakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH) director Samsudin Nurseha, who questioned the absence of the state in cases of violence against minority groups. "The police have to be firm. The people will definatly provide support," he said.
Meanwhile, Purnomo was not available for comment. He did not answer calls made to his cell phone
Sleman Vice Regent Yuni Satia Rahayu said she had taken action to minimize the impacts of Purnomo's presence at the discussion over concerns that it might influence the security of Shiites in the regency. She also said she had asked the Yogyakarta provincial offices of the Religious Affairs Ministry and MUI not to fulfill the demands by some hard-line groups in the province to declare Shia as heretical.
The same call to protect Shia members, she added, had also been conveyed to the local police, GKR Hemas, a member of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) representing Yogyakarta who is also the wife of Yogyakarta Governor Hamengkubuwo and other related institutions.
"Even international Islam recognizes the Shia presence. Shiites also deserve to live," Yuni said.
She said she did not know why Purnomo did not clarify the news reported by the online media outlet. "I think he already knew about the news," she said.