Hotli Simanjuntak, Banda Aceh – The predominately Muslim province of Aceh Nanggroe Darussalam is requiring thousands of its legislative candidates to take a Koran proficiency test before they contest the 2009 election.
"None of the provinces in Indonesia require (this), except Aceh," head of the legislative councilors nomination at the Aceh chapter of the Independent Election Commission (KIP) Yawin Adi Dharma told The Jakarta Post.
According to Yawin, the KIP will test 1,368 provincial legislative candidates in Aceh, excluding the 23 regents and mayors in the province.
"We estimate no less than 5,000 legislative candidates will sit the Koran recital tests," said Yawin, adding that the number would not be made final until after the application process, which will last for a few more days.
The test will be held for provincial candidates from Sunday to next Friday in Banda Aceh, while regional candidates will take the test in their respective regencies.
The KIP has decided to go through with its plan despite fierce criticism. "We must implement the rule in line with Ordinance No. 3/2008 on local political parties and legislative candidates for the election in Aceh," said Yawin.
Article 13 and 36 of the ordinance stipulate that Muslim candidates must be able to perform Islamic rituals and recite from the Koran, respectively.
After a series of protracted debates and studies, Home Minister Mardiyanto revoked Article 36 on the grounds that a higher law, Law No. 10/2008, contradicts the ordinance by authorizing national political parties to enact their own policies for their legislative candidates.
Thus, only local party candidates are obliged to take the Koran recital test.
A letter dated July 18, 2008, sent by Mardiyanto to the Aceh governor, states that the Aceh administration is only authorized to enact rules on local parties. "For the time being, we will abide by the initial decision that every candidate must sit the Koran proficiency test," Yawin said.
The Aceh KIP has formed 10 examination teams, each made up of four Koranic scholars. It will take around five days for the examiners to test all of the candidates. Each participant will be given five minutes to read a verse chosen randomly by the examiner.
To aid legislators taking the test, the KIP has issued a special decree specifying technical guidelines on Koranic proficiency.
The proposal to hold the exam has received mixed public reaction. A resident in Ule Kareng, Hasbi, said the Koran recital test should be canceled.
"Even if the candidates are able to read the Koran, it doesn't mean they are able to set a good example for society. Now, many legislators don't care about the commoners, but only think of their own interests," he said.