The Jakarta Post, 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 1999, entitles local administrations the right to issuing any bylaws they think suitable to their respective regions, he says.
“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.