"We deplore the decision of the government. HTI is a legal entity, and it has never violated the law," HTI spokesman, Ismail Yusanto, said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Islamic organization Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) has deplored the decision by the government to dissolve it, saying that it was legal and has never broken the law, its spokesman, Ismail Yusanto, said here on Monday.

"We deplore the decision of the government. HTI is a legal entity, and it has never violated the law," he said at a press conference at the organizations central office.

Ismail stated that his side had never received any notification regarding the governments plan and only knew about it after the decision was made.

He noted that HTI was a legal organization that has been active in religious propagation in the country for the past 25 years.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Wiranto announced here on Monday that the government would dissolve the organization.

He made the announcement after meeting Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yasona Laoly, and Indonesia Police chief General Tito Karnavian at his office that day.

"After examining various considerations and public aspirations, the government decided that a firm legal action must be taken against HTI," he remarked.

He explained that the decision was taken not because the government was against anti-Islamic organizations but solely for the sake of preserving and maintaining the integrity of the Unitary State of Indonesia, which is based on Pancasila state ideology and 1945 Constitution.

"HTI activities have so far caused conflicts in the community and threatened security and order, as well as the integrity of the Unitary State of Indonesia. Hence, a decision to dissolve it was necessary," he revealed.

Wiranto stated that the government will ask the Supreme Court regard its decision to ban the HTI.

"Based on this, there will be legal procedure to be followed. The government would not act arbitrarily. We will be guided by the law," Wiranto noted here on Monday, without going into the details.

He said that the government was seeking to dissolve HTI due to its failure to contribute to national development. On the contrary, there were indications that HTI is against the state ideology Pancasila and the Constitution.

"What is certain is that the measure is taken to prevent issues that would create public disorder and security problem that would grow to be against the existence of the state," he added.

Meanwhile, the countrys two largest non-political Islamic organizations Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah expressed strong opposition to any attempt to replace Pancasila with other ideology.

An observer said that the ultimate goal of HTI was to establish Khilafah (Caliphate), which is a general leadership over all Muslims in the world. Its responsibility was to implement the laws of the Islamic system and convey its message to the rest of the world.

The Khilafah ruling system bears no resemblance to any of the governments in the Muslim world today. Therefore, under Khilafah system, there would be no Indonesia as a state, let alone Pancasila. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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