PKS Politician Condemns LGBT Flag at British Embassy in Jakarta

TheIndonesia.co - Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly, Hidayat Nur Wahid, strongly criticized the British Embassy in Indonesia for raising the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) flag for reasons of human rights. The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician assessed that the British Embassy's actions did not take into account aspects of the locality of human rights that are constitutionally accepted and applicable in Indonesia, which are concerned with legal, socio-cultural, and religious aspects.

"This action should be condemned even though it was carried out in the territory of the Embassy, they should respect diplomatic norms to maintain good relations with Indonesia. Do not take provocative actions that can trigger problems," Nur Wahid said in a statement in Jakarta, Monday, May 23, 2022.

He assessed that actions could be called human rights imperialism. The raising of the LGBT flag can cause unrest, polemics, and rejection from the wider community.

"Keep in mind, Indonesia is a sovereign nation, the basis and ideology of the state is Pancasila and the Constitution confirms the belief in one God. The House of Representatives and the government are currently processing the Criminal Code Bill, which includes, among other things, the prosecution of LGBT issues," said the member of the House of Representatives.

"So it is very natural that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summons the British Ambassador to submit a note of objection, and demands an apology so that it will not be repeated the next time," he said.

On Tuesday, May 17, during International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia, the British Embassy in Jakarta raised the rainbow flag which is a symbol of the movement to support LGBT rights. The flag installation was announced through the British Embassy's Instagram account for Indonesia @ukindonesia.

The British Embassy stated that the flag was installed in commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia where there are still many countries that discriminate and even criminalize LGBT. The United Kingdom encourages these countries to eliminate such discrimination.

"We urge the international community to eradicate discrimination, including based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and to promote diversity and tolerance. We urge countries to decriminalize consensual same-sex relations and to introduce legislation that protects LGBT+ people from all forms of discrimination. "