Jakarta – The government has said it will ban organizations it believes promote anti-Pancasila values while claiming to be defenders of the state ideology.
"They try so hard to portray themselves as supporters of Pancasila while their public speeches contradict their claims," Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said as quoted by kompas.com during a gathering at his office on Wednesday.
Tjahjo did not provide details about the groups or individuals he was referring to, but assured that the government had strong grounds to act against them.
"They can deny it but we have gathered evidence that confirms these groups and individuals obviously aim to replace Pancasila," he added.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) senior politician defended the government's decision to issue a regulation-in-lieu of law (Perppu) on mass organizations, which granted the government the power to disband organizations without due process.
The House of Representatives is currently deliberating the Perppu and will soon decide whether or not it will pass it into law.
"The Perppu is not meant to apply pressure to certain groups. It was issued because the state is obliged to create strong legislation to protect Indonesia," he said. (msa/ahw)