According to the Jakarta Globe, Indonesia's highest Islamic council has strongly opposed the recent proposal to legalize casinos, warning that the idea poses a threat to the country's constitutional and moral framework.
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) made its stance clear after speaking at a parliamentary hearing. At the hearing, a member of the House of Representatives suggested legalizing gambling to increase non-tax state revenue. The member cited the United Arab Emirates, a predominantly Muslim country, as an example that has adopted a similar approach.
Anwar Abbas, the vice chairman of MUI, called the proposal both shocking and highly misleading. He stated that legalizing gambling in a country where Islam is the main religion not only violates religious doctrines but also the principles established by the constitution and the national ideology "Pancasila".
He added that the issue goes beyond legal boundaries, touching on the nation's moral and cultural identity. "Indonesia must continue to be a country that upholds faith and integrity," he said. "We must not allow actions explicitly forbidden by religion to influence our economic direction."
Anwar urged the government not to indulge in gambling but to focus on increasing productivity, managing natural resources more effectively, and reducing unemployment through lawful means. He warned that adopting such policies could cause long-term damage to the nation's moral foundation.
MUI urges all parties involved in decision-making to act cautiously and points out that Indonesia's future must be shaped by decisions that reflect its religious and cultural traditions.
