GENERAL SITUATION

On September 30, 2005, twelve cartoons most of which depicted the
Islamic prophet Muhammad were published in the Danish newspaper
Jyllands-Posten. Though equality and freedom of expression is highly
respected in Denmark, this publication triggered public protests by
Danish Moslem Organization. In response, many Indonesian Moslem
Organizations showed their anger and spread knowledge of the
Jyllands-Posten’s publication. Then, the cartoons were reprinted in
newspaper in more than twenty other countries. This is led even more
violent protest, especially by fundamentalist Moslem groups.

Critics of the cartoon have described them as Islamophobic and argue
that they are blasphemous, intended to humiliate a marginalized Moslem.
And, they display an ignorance of the history of western imperialism,
from colonialism to the conflicts in the Middle East.

While supporters of the cartoon claim they illustrate an important
issue in an age of Islamic extremist terrorism. Their publication
exercises the right of freedom of speech and freedom of expression.
They also claim that similar cartoons about other religions frequently
printed, arguing that the followers of Islam were not targeted in a
discriminatory way.

ROOT OF THE PROBLEM

Indonesia is the biggest Moslem populous country in the world. And,
in my experience, it is prohibited to make an open debate about Islam,
even as knowledge, let alone a prophet cartoon. To Moslem communities
worldwide, it is an enormous spiritual importance.

A Moslem friend explained, as mentioned in Hadith, for the last 14
centuries, Moslems have adhered to a strict code that prohibits any
visual portrait of the prophet. “Ibn ‘Umar reported Allah’s Messenger
(Muhammad peace be upon him) having said: Those who paint my portraits
would be punished on the Day of Resurrection…” (Hadith). The only
reason of Muhammad’s unwillingness to be visualized is to prevent Him
from being an individual cult. When this code was violated and their
Prophet mocked for the purpose of humor, Moslems felt a direct assault
on their faith.

While to non-Moslem, especially Christians, such a cartoon may only
be of casual interest. God tells us to be happy even when we were
insulted just because we are His followers. “Happy are you when people
insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against
you just because you are My followers.” (Matt 5:11)

ISLAM, POLITICS AND MEDIA

In the Soeharto’s era, media faced “Subversion Law” or ‘Banning of
the Press’, or ‘telephone call’ which we called ‘budaya telepon’
(telephone culture). Soeharto used these tools as a deterrence to
control politics and the media.
For example, one ministers or high rank military phoned newspaper
not to publish a military plane crash, before we knew there was a
crash. In the early of 1990s, “Monitor”, the biggest tabloid in
Indonesia had been banned because it put Prophet Mohammad at number 8
in the list of 10 most popular people. Arswendo Atmowiloto, Chief
Editor of Monitor sentenced to jail for 5 years, fined $5,000. In 1995,
trial for dissident intellectual Permadi Satrio Wiwoho.

However, what were considered sacred in the Soeharto’s era were not
Islam, but his policies and families. Newspapers were strictly
restricted to mention or criticize these two areas. In 1994, Soeharto
banned “Tempo” and “Editor” magazine and “DeTik” tabloid because of
their report on ‘something behind’ Habibie’s policy to buy used ship
from Germany. Such situation continued in the Habibie’s era.

President Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur brought a lot of changes.
Especially for the media. Press freedom was really happened in this
era. No more telephone, no more banning, nor subversion law.
Unfortunately, less than one year, Megawati Soekarnoputri replaced him.
She did not use the banning of the press, but did not like to talk or
to meet the press. What considered holy and sacred in this era was not
much different from Soeharto’s.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Vice President Jusuf
Kalla (JK), seem to bring Indonesia back to the Soeharto’s era. Not
friendly enough with critics, but used banning of the press in a
different way. “Republik BBM (Benar-Benar Mabok/Deeply Drunken
Republic)”, TV Show which was a parody of SBY-JK government, suddenly
disappeared. Though, JK denied the assumption of his government
interference, still, the parody is no longer showed on TV.

For us, the “9/11 attack” continued by US invasion to Afghanistan
and Iraq was only caused of the rising of Islam and the awakening of
the fundamentalist. After the attack, Islamic militant groups like the
FPI (Front Pembela Islam/Islamic Movement Front), The Mujahiddin,
Gerakan Pemuda Hizbullah (Hizbullah Youth Movement), and even an
ethnical militant group like FBR (Forum Betawi Rempug), have stronger
power than the government. Betawi is the Jakarta’s original ethnic.

They seems to have legal right to abandon and reject all new
churches proposals, burning and closing down churches, and dismissing
monthly “Holy Mary” prayer in Yogyakarta. The closing down of “St.
Bernadette Catholic Church” in Ciledug, Jakarta, where I belong to, in
2004, was one example of their power. It happened since 2002, where 9
churches were burning down, 5 churches destroyed, continued in 2004
where 2 churches were closed and in 2005, 4 churches were also closed.

But, none of them even goes to jail or to be questioned. And the
media can only write a very tiny fact on this problem. Because, what
the media is facing now, is no longer banning of the press or such a
subversion law, but a threat of 30-40 militants with knife or Kukri
(Gurkha’s long knife).


PRESS FREEDOM VS. BLASPHEMY

Is there any press freedom in Indonesia? Yes! Our constitution
guarantees the freedom of speech. Article 28 of the Constitution said,
“Kemerdekaan berserikat dan berkumpul, mengeluarkan pikiran dengan
lisan dan tulisan dan sebagainya, ditetapkan dengan Undang-undang.”
(Freedom of association and assembly, of verbal and written expression
and the like, shall be prescribed by law).

More than that, press freedom has been guaranteed since 1966, by UU
No. 11 Tahun 1966. Article 4 said, “National Press is free from
censorship and banning.” But, once again, it is only on the
Constitution and Law.

Though our Constitution guarantee freedom of worship through Article
29, on blasphemy case, we have Section 156(a) of the Indonesian
Criminal Code which prohibits conduct that affronts a “recognized
religion” (identified as Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Roman Catholicism
or Protestantism). Section 19 of the Main Press Ordinance 1982
prohibits publication of blasphemous material, permitting prosecution
of authors and publishers and withdrawal of the publishing license.

In my opinion, should we choose press freedom when there were 30-40
militants who were ready to set fire to our office? Or, should we
choose freedom of speech if we have to hurt our neighbors on their
belief? Shouldn’t we love than hurting them?

Regarding the principle of our foundation, the “Bhinneka Tunggal
Ika” (Diversity in Unity), I agree with Jakob Oetama’s opinion. In one
of his books, he said, individual freedom is highly respected and
guaranteed in Indonesia, but it has to be done in the spirit of
collective freedom. “Semangatnya berbeda dengan semangat konstitusi
negara-negara Barat yang lebih menjamin kebebasan individu,” he said.
(The spirit is different from Western Constitution which respects more
on individual freedom)[1].

CONCLUSION

From Indonesian point of view, reprinting the cartoons in order to
make a point about free speech is an act of senseless brinkmanship.
What more important here is responsibility in using right of freedom in
the spirit of tolerance and mutual understanding. In a free country,
people should be free to publish whatever they want within the limits
set by law.

What I find particularly disturbing is a lack of appreciation that
such works would hand to a small pocket of extremists’ ammunition with
which to fulfill their own agenda. This is where the judgment to
publish and republish has failed us all.

I think, the international community must not come out of the
cartoon crisis broken and divided. We need to build more bridges
between religions, civilizations, and cultures. Let’s cultivate
democracies of freedom and tolerance, not democracies of freedom versus
tolerance. It is tolerance that protects freedom, harnesses diversity,
strengthens peace and delivers progress.

[1] Oetama, Jakob, Perspektif Pers Indonesia, LP3ES, Jakarta, 1987, page 79