Dewi Nurita, Jakarta – House of Representatives (DPR) Commission VII Deputy, Marwan Dasopang said he rejects the initial birth of Draft Bill on the protection of ulema, which was initially pitched by the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

"Indonesia already has too many Laws. Ulemas are already respected, [both issues] has its own portions, ulema councils already exist. Let's put this to rest, we are a lawful country, not a country of laws," said Marwan to Tempo at the Senayan Parliamentary Complex on Monday.

As a lawful state, Marwan asserts that everyone has equal rights and is treated equally by the country's law. "So, if an ulema violates they shall not be punished?" he said.

PKS previously pitched the formation of the ulema protection law with Party leader Sohibul Iman urging House's PKS faction to make the suggestion into the DPR's priority in the national legislation program (prolegnas).

Sohibul Iman says that the bill was suggested due to the legal entanglement experienced by Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab. But he asserts that the draft law is not pitched to fulfill a short-term interest.

"As of the homecoming of Rizieq, I guess this is the logical consequence of the ulema protection," he said.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1273939/ulema-protection-draft-bill-met-with-resistance-from-house-member