Jakarta (Antara) – Deputy Speaker of People Consultative Assembly (MPR) Hidayat Nur Wahid responded the statement issued by the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) that as many as 41 mosques in governmental offices were infiltrated by radicalism. He demanded BIN not to worsen the situation by delivering doubtful validity of information.
"BIN should not add more negativity by spreading information which its validity must be questioned because issues on a certain number of mosques that are infiltrated by radical teachings have been refuted by the deputy chief of police," said Hidayat Wednesday, November 21 in the Parliament Complex in Jakarta.
BIN earlier stated a total of 41 mosques in governmental offices were infiltrated by radical teachings based on the report submitted by the Islamic Boarding School and Community Development Association (P3M). The study also showed as many as 50 lecturers spread radicalism materials. BIN spokesman Wawan Hari Purwanto said his agency was currently approaching dozens of Islamic clerics who allegedly spread radical teachings.
Hidayat opined that usually information belong to BIN was not released to the public, but reported to the President as the user. According to him, should a serious problem arise, it must be soon covered without announcing it to the community.
"Don't release [the information] to the public, but show the evidence and hold a discussion with all authorities to deal with the matter," he noted.
The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician considered making a statement, let alone providing invalid information, was not the duty of BIN. He expected information issued by BIN would not cause terror among the public.