Indonesia's DPR pledges religious freedom, eyes LGBT bill

Chair of Indonesia's House Commission VIII, Marwan Dasopang, affirmed the country's commitment to protect religious freedom while rejecting any abuse of religion that could fuel division. He made the remarks after a meeting with the Dutch Special Envoy on religious freedom, Paul Bekkers, under the Inter‑Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, stressing cooperation on tolerance and the preservation of Hindu, Buddhist and local‑religious sites.

Dasopang also said the DPR could consider drafting a law on LGBT issues if an academic study justifies it, noting that no formal proposals have yet been submitted. He referenced Presidential Regulation No 111/2025, which lists LGBT culture as a non‑military threat, and mentioned recent public debate over a university Pride Month event.