Durian. President Joko Widodo of Indonesia has appointed former Army general Fachrul Razi as religious affairs minister on Oct.23, hoping for his efforts to eradicate the spreading of radicalism and intolerance in the country.
Religious affairs minister of Indonesia post 1998 was placed by individuals who came from Muslim organization. Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim population but the country has six state religions – Islam, Catholic, Protestant, Buddha, Hindu and Confusion. The selection of Razi has triggered public question on the reason behind his appointment as the religious affairs minister due to his military background.
The government and the people of Indonesia concern about the rising trend of intolerance and radicalism in the country.
“Historically, we had religious affairs minister from TNI [the military]. Secondly, we want whatever that is related to radicalism, intolerance will be surely [eradicated] by the Religious Affairs Ministry,” President Joko Widodo, who popular known as Jokowi, said on Oct.24 in Jakarta.
Razi replaced Lukman Hakim Saifuddin who was representative of Indonesia’s largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
