Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – The Islamic based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) is urging Indonesia to adopt the Red Crescent in addition to the existing Red Cross symbol for the country's humanitarian body, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI).

Lawmaker Aus Hidayat Nur told a meeting on Tuesday that recognizing both symbols would comply with the Geneva Convention, which recognizes three symbols for member nations' humanitarian organizations: the Red Cross, the Red Crescent and the Red Crystal.

"We want the nation to also recognize the Red Crescent symbol, to allow Indonesia to participate delivering aid to Islamic countries that prefer the Red Crescent symbol," Aus said.

The decision follows lawmaker junkets to Denmark and Turkey that totaled a staggering Rp 1.3 billion (US$135,804) to investigate using the Red Crescent symbol, the Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency previously said. (FITRA) (iwa)