After Muhammadiyah and Islam Defender Front (FPI) delivered their rejection for inter-faith marriage in the previous trial. Testimonial hearing of judicial review on Act 1/1974 was held on Wednesday. This time, representative from Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI), and Council of Buddhist Communities (Walubi) delivered their testimony to the media frenzy case.

 Mixed opinion was delivered during the hearing which was petitioned by University of Indonesia’s graduates.

MUI, in their opinion, said that Indonesia regards religious values to apply in pair with the national law, as determined in 1945 Constitution and Pancasila. In accordance to the marriage law, MUI hinted that it will be only validated by implying any particular rule of Indonesia reckoned religions.  

According to MUI’s representative Luthfi Hakim, the Applicants should have been performed a historical research at the first place, their points of requests were actually being deliberated years ago when the law being deliberated. Considering that the lawmakers have agreed to issue the bill, thus Applicants should not take the same matters to be deliberated again.

 “Through long talks, the draft bill was finally being ratified in 1974, unanimously […] you should feel blessed to live in the country where religious law being highly regarded,” Luthfi said.

He also said that inter-faith marriage is a form of disobedience, instead of abolishing citizens’ rights  

Ahmad Ishomaddin who represented NU also stated that marriage law has been correctly adjudicated marriage process in Indonesia, it is also deemed aligning Islamic teaching. “PBNU declares rejection of the petition,” Ahmad said in modest way.  

Different statement was delivered by PGI’s representative, Nikson Gans Lau stated the law must be interpreted in single meaning, regarding the nation’s unity. Nikson added that recent interpretation of the Article neglects Bhinneka Tunggal Ika and Multiculturalism.

“Although inter-faith marriage is not ideal, but difference on race, culture, and religion may not hamper love being spread, notably in Multicultural Indonesia,” Nikson said

In the trial which held on Wednesday (5/11) at MK Plenary room, Walubi refused to give its view on the legality of a marriage during Wednesday’s hearing session, only commenting on the Buddhist perspective regarding morals, marriage and religious freedom. (Winandriyo Kun/mh/kun)