The Indonesian government has disbanded a hard-line Islamic group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) on Monday for creating unrest in the community that could threaten the peace and stability in the country.
"After a careful consideration, the government deems it necessary to take legal action to disband Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia throughout Indonesia", said Wiranto, who goes by one name.
Wiranto said that the order to ban HTI came directly from President Joko Widodo.
Most recently, the HTI participated in rolling mass rallies calling for Jakarta's outgoing governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama be unseated and jailed for alleged blasphemy after comments he made regarding the Quran last September.
"After taking a close look at various [HTI activities], as well as taking into account widespread public opinion on the matter, the government has chose to take concrete steps to ultimately disband HTI", Wiranto said. The dissolution of the group would be achieved through the courts. He added that the move to disband it did not mean that the government was against Islamic movements in general.
While most people practise a moderate form of Islam in Indonesia, fears have been growing about the influence of radicals - particularly after mass protests a year ago against Jakarta's Christian governor which were led by hardliners.
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The Indonesian government today unilaterally banned the controversial hardline Islamic group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI).
Though usually small and on the fringes of society, such groups are seen as a threat to Indonesia's tradition of pluralism and moderate Islam.
The group said it deeply regretted the government's decision and noted that it has been conducting religious activities in Indonesia for more than 20 years.
Hizbut wants to unite all Muslim countries in a globe-spanning bloc ruled by strict Shariah law. It has a record of targeting university students and professionals, working within countries.
In an interview with Western media in 2011, the group's chairman in Indonesia, Rochmat Labib told The Associated Press that in the following decade Hizbut's "grand plan was to reinforce lack of trust and hope in the government".
Pancasila is Indonesia's state ideology, which includes belief in god, the unity of the country, social justice and democracy, and which enshrines religious diversity in an officially secular system.
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