Jakarta \u2013 The ban on Christmas together in Dharmasraya Regency, West Sumatra, has received public attention. A senior Golkar politician, Akbar Tandjung, asked the entire community to respect followers of other religions.<\/p>\n
\"Of course we respect and appreciate each other. Our country is plural,\" said Akbar Tandjung at the parliament complex, Jl Gatot Subroto, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (12\/24\/2019).<\/p>\n
Akbar said that Indonesia has a Pancasila philosophy that must respect and appreciate differences in race, ethnicity, religion and language. The community must also give Christians the opportunity to perform Christmas worship.<\/p>\n
“Menurut saya, sebagai bangsa yang menghormati nilai-nilai Pancasila dan menghormati keragaman dan kemajemukan, ya kita juga memberikan kesempatan kepada saudara-saudara kita yang beragama lain atau saudara-saudara kita yang beragama Kristen,” jelas Akbar.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we must give them a chance, there should be no obstacles in carrying out their religious activities. Of course they give us the opportunity to practice our religion (Islam),\" he continued.<\/p>\n
Reports on the ban on Christmas celebrations in Dharmasraya and Sijunjung districts were received by the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP). According to BPIP, the ban is not justified.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis prohibition is not justified in the Indonesian constitution. This country is based on Pancasila and the constitution of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, which guarantees everyone to worship,\" said Special Staff of the Steering Committee for the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP) Father Antonius Benny Susetyo, Friday (12\/20).<\/p>\n