Vincentius Jyestha, Jakarta – The United Development Party (PPP) and the Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) have agreed to continue fighting for the enactment of several pieces of national legislation – one of which is the Draft Law on the Prohibition of Alcohol (Minol).
This was conveyed by PPP Central Leadership Board (DPP) Secretary General Arwani Thomafi during a friendly meeting between PPP DPP Chairperson Suharso Monoarfa and PKS DPP President Ahmad Syaikhu.
"A number of draft laws which we initiated together can continue to be fought for such as the Draft Law on the Prohibition of Alcohol, the Draft Law on Protecting Ulama [Islamic religious leaders], and other draft laws", said Thomafi at the PKS DPP offices on Jalan TB Simatupang in South Jakarta on Wednesday April 14, 2021.
Thomafi also emphasised the two party's commitment to cooperate to strengthen a healthier democracy.
"What's important for the PPP and the PKS is cooperating to strengthen the realization of a healthy democracy through cooperation in the political field in future political contests, and also in legislative work at the DPR [House of Representatives]. I think this is a strategic thing for political parties in this case the PPP and the PKS, I think this is", said Thomafi.
A similar view was conveyed by PKS DPP Secretary General Habib Aboe Bakar Alhabsy. The PPP and the PKS he continued, have many points of agreement.
"On legislation related to the religious community I'm sure that we have many points of agreement, such as the Draft Law on the Prohibition of Alcohol, we have been [working] on this", said Alhabsy.
And it is not just the alcohol prohibition bill, he said. The PKS and the PPP have also agreed to fight for a number of other draft laws such as the Draft Law on Protecting Religious Figures and Symbols and the Draft Law on the Elimination of Sexual Violence (see notes).
"We are already working together, so we'll be even stronger. God willing if the PPP and the PKS sit down together we could strengthen cooperation between the Islamic parties which are a blessing to all humankind in the framework of the NKRI [Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia]", he said.
Notes
Although this paragraph suggests the PPP and the PKS support the Draft Law on the Elimination of Sexual Violence, they have in fact been two of the strongest opponents of the bill in parliament which they claim will legitimise free sex and homosexuality.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Jalin Silaturahmi, PPP dan PKS Makin Kompak Perjuangkan RUU Larangan Minuman".]
