The House of Representatives (DPR) of the Republic of Indonesia has officially urged security forces to provide tighter protection guarantees for religious figures conducting preaching activities in the regions. This statement comes in response to the incident where Ustaz Abdul Somad (UAS) was blocked while trying to hold a religious event in West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan.
Legislators emphasized that religious figures play a crucial role in maintaining social peace within the community. Therefore, any form of intimidation or blockage by certain parties is considered a serious threat to the freedom of speech and religion protected by law.
The police are expected to map out potential security risks on the ground more carefully before religious events take place. This anticipatory measure is considered essential to prevent friction between community groups while ensuring that every religious figure can carry out their role safely and comfortably throughout Indonesia.
In addition to demanding increased security, the House of Representatives also urged the public to remain calm and not be provoked by narratives that could divide unity. Local governments and relevant stakeholders are asked to be more proactive in mediating potential social conflicts to prevent similar incidents from recurring in the future.
