Jakarta – National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian has called on all parties to resist from exploiting edicts issued by the Indonesian Ulema Council, or MUI. The call comes after a series of controversial edicts that led to public outcry.

"Transnational groups try to prompt the MUI to issue certain edicts to gain influence over the state," Tito said during a discussion at the National Police Academy in Jakarta on Tuesday (17/01).

"We respect the MUI, but we don't want to see it exploited and influenced to issue edicts that contradict the spirit of Bhineka Tunggal Ika ['Unity in Diversity']," he added.

Tito said that although the MUI's fatwas, or edicts, cannot serve as legal references, they have lately had broad implications on the state and law enforcement.

He referred to the council's opinion that triggered disquiet among Muslims over the blasphemy allegations against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama. "It [the edict] has broad legal implications," Tito said.

He also said that another edict, which prohibited Muslims from donning Christmas attire, prompted vigilantes to raid shopping centers and destroy Christmas decorations. Tito has requested several law experts to interpret the legal standing of the organization's edicts.

"Who will enforce them? Who has the authority to introduce them to the public? We've seen groups trying to do it on their own in shopping malls, because it is still a gray area," Tito said.

According to Indonesian Muslim Scholars Association (ICMI) chairman Jimly Asshiddiqie, edicts issued by the MUI cannot serve as legal references.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/dont-exploit-muis-edicts-influence-state-police-chief/