National

Religious people in Papua must vote

Senin, 7 April 2014 | 13:20 WIB

Sentani, NU Online
It is mandatory for all religious people in Papua to vote during Wednesdays legislative elections, according to local religious figures, Antara news agency reported.<>

"Those who claim to be religious and refuse to vote as are irresponsible," Papua Communion of Churches Chairman Reverend Lipius Biniluk stated here on Monday.

Biniluk explained that religious people have responsibility and integrity to vote in the elections without pressures from certain parties.

"No pressure, no money politics. Religious people must vote for who ever they think is the right person to lead this nation," he remarked, adding that they should participate in making the election a success.

Meanwhile, Jayapura branch of Indonesian Ulema Council Chairman Faishal Saleh noted that religious people were also recommended to love their nation.

"Acting as non-voters in the elections is against the government and therefore religious people are forbidden to do so," Faishal stressed. 

According to him, Islam and the nation are one in the form of value system and the governance structure.

Therefore the religious figures call on all public elements and religious community in Papua to participate in the elections without acting as non-voters.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq