REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Deputy Chairman of Parliamentary Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Board (BKSAP) House of Representatives (DPR) Rofi Munawar asked authorities and government to take firm action against Sion Kids Center of Papua community that raised Israeli flag in a convoy recently. He said the raising of Israeli flag has tarnished Indonesian diplomatic struggle.

Rofi believed the convoy was not a cultural and religious event, but a form of recognition of the existence and cult of the Israeli flag from the Jewish nation. Ironically, he said, in these activities there is no Indonesian flag.

"It proved that they violate the constitution," Rofi said.

Also read: Govt must act on Israeli flag-raising in Papua

According to Rofi, the Act on the use of foreign flags obviously has been violated by the Sion Kids Community. He asserted the Indonesian government has never had diplomatic relations with Israel.

In many policies, Indonesia always committed in supporting Palestinian independence as part of the national diplomatic mission.

The use of foreign flags is regulated in Government Regulation (PP) No. 41/1958 on the use of foreign national flags. Article 3 paragraph (1) says, if a foreign national flag is used, then the flag must be used together with the Indonesian national flag.

In addition, Article 6 states that regional heads may prohibit the use of foreign countries flags if it reasonably thought to cause disorder of public order and security," Rofi explained.

He assessed Sion Kids Community have done controversial activities. Not only by using Israeli flag, the community has also boast the nation of Israel.

Regional government and local authorities in Papua should take firm action, Rofi said. Moreover, the activity also followed by figures from Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) and Civil State Apparatus (ASN). They should understand the rules, Rofi added.

Members of Sion Kids Community raised Israeli flag in a convoy on last May 14. The video of the activity went viral. At least, there were two videos that allegedly located on 12th National Cultural Service event at House of Sports (GOR) Waringin Kotaraja in Jayapura.

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