Indonesia May Be Moving Toward Imposing More Islamic Restrictions

Today's Malaysian Insider carries an article on developments in Indonesia that some argue are moving it away from its secular and multi-religious foundations. Indonesia's Parliament is debating a draft law that would require all businesses to obtain halal certification for products they sell. Currently businesses can voluntarily register their products with the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI). Surprisingly, MUI opposes the new draft law, fearing that halal certification under it will be taken away from MUI and transferred to the government's Ministry of Religion. The article also discusses initiatives under way in three municipalities around Jakarta to turn them into "Halal cities." It is unclear how far restrictions will go. It will mean that restaurants will need to alert customers if their food contains non-halal ingredients, but it my go beyond this, for example, to a ban on raising pigs that will affect non-Muslims as well. In one of the municipalities, Bogor, there is a growth of Muslim housing developments, open only to Muslims. They contain their own mosques, and have bathrooms designed so toilets do not face Mecca.