Bagus BT Saragih, Jakarta – Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali has played down the suggestion that regional sharia-based bylaws have the potential to trigger social conflicts despite the fact that Indonesia is a multicultural country.

The regional autonomy system, which was first introduced in 1999, entitles local administrations to the right to issue any bylaws they deem suitable to their respective regions, he said.

"In regional autonomy, local leaders can issue policies that they think are the best for them, not only in the sector of economy or natural resources, but also religious affairs," the United Development Party (PPP) chairman said on Friday at the State Palace.

"However, a local policy made by a certain local administration also receives observation and judgment from others who may claim such a policy is good or not. This can sometimes end up in disputes and debates."

When debates over a bylaw took place, he said the ministry could do nothing to review or revoke it.

Suryadharma also dismissed accusations that sharia-based bylaws discriminated against non-Muslim community groups living in the multi-religious country. "You need to check whether a particular so-called sharia bylaw applies to all citizens in one region or only to Muslims," he said.

A number of prominent figures and academics criticized the drafting and implementation of sharia-based bylaws by a number of local administrations, saying they could be a time bomb in mixed communities.

Sharia-based bylaws emerged in regional administrations two years after the passing of the 1999 Regional Autonomy Law, with regencies and municipalities in West Sumatra, Banten, West Java and South Sulawesi on the front line, and many more following suit.

And by early 2010, more than 150 bylaws, regulations and circulars were found to be problematic and discriminative according to the women's national rights body. (mtq)