Religious Regulations in Indonesia: Failing Vulnerable Groups?

Review of Indonesian and Malaysian Affairs, Vol. 43, No. 2, 2009

51 Pages Posted: 8 May 2010 Last revised: 5 Jun 2010

See all articles by Melissa Crouch

Melissa Crouch

University of New South Wales (UNSW) - UNSW Law & Justice

Date Written: 2009

Abstract

Since 1998 and the downfall of Suharto, local governments across Indonesia have passed a range of religious regulations, commonly known as perda syariah. This paper is based on analysis of over 160 religious regulations from 26 provinces in Indonesia. It will examine how the transition to decentralisation has facilitated the growth of religious regulations and will outline the behaviour these regulations seek to control. It will analyse how these religious regulations are being implemented and enforced. Overall, it will demonstrate that religious regulations have discriminated against vulnerable groups such as women, children, the poor and religious minorities. The national government has failed to intervene because of the perceived need to maintain the support of the majority Muslim-voter base in a competitive political environment.

Keywords: Indonesia, religious regulations, Islam, minorities

Suggested Citation

Crouch, Melissa Amy, Religious Regulations in Indonesia: Failing Vulnerable Groups? (2009). Review of Indonesian and Malaysian Affairs, Vol. 43, No. 2, 2009, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1601065

Melissa Amy Crouch (Contact Author)

University of New South Wales (UNSW) - UNSW Law & Justice ( email )

Kensington, New South Wales 2052
Australia

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