Mahfud Reacts to Call for MUI Disbandment

jpnn.com, JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD has responded to the call for the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to be disbanded, following the arrests of three terrorist suspects recently.

Mahfud argued that the arrest of MUI members suspected of terrorism did not mean that the whole council needed to be taken down.

"Let's not think that MUI needs to be disbanded, and don't provoke others by alleging that the government is attacking MUI through Densus 88," said Mahfud on his Twitter account @mohmahfudmd, Saturday (20/11).

He also said that the arrest of MUI individuals should not be interpreted as an attack by the security forces on the authority of the institution.

"Terrorists can be caught anywhere, in forests, malls, houses, churches, mosques and more," he said.

"If the apparatus is silent and something happens, they can be accused of being not responsible. There will be a legal process and open evidence," he added.

The former Constitutional Court chief further said that the position of the MUI was legally strong, so it could not be dismissed arbitrarily.

"The position of the MUI is very strong because it is mentioned in several laws and regulations," he said.