JAKARTA: The Indonesian Ulema Council has no plans to issue a fatwa against popular streaming service Netflix or similar digital content service platforms in the country.
This was affirmed by the council’s fatwa commission head, H. Hasanuddin, and its secretary, Asrorun Niam Sholeh, who said this in a statement, according to the Jakarta Post.
Hasanuddin earlier said the council was ready to issue a fatwa against Netflix if it was found to stream ‘negative’ content.
His remarks drew criticism from the public.
‘A fatwa is issued once there are questions and studies done regarding the issue,’ read the statement by Hasanuddin and Asorun.
‘If it’s related to a certain discipline, then the fatwa commission would take into account experts’ opinions.’
However, digital content service firms should not create platforms that sell, distribute or create prohibited content, be it in legal or religious terms.
If this was not respected, then the state authorities had the authority to enforce the law to protect the people,it said.
‘The council’s fatwa commission has issued various fatwa on the social community, other than on worship, including on the development of information and communication technology.
‘For example, the council has issued fatwa on social interaction through broadcast media, specifically, social media. There are things that are allowed and not allowed to be done.’
Netflix declined to comment on the issue.
Communications and Information Minister Johnny G. Plate drew criticism from local Netflix subscribers recently for reportedly asking the service to stop streaming its popular original series to give space for Indonesian films.
Johnny later clarified that he had never asked Netflix to stop streaming foreign movies, according to Antara News.
Instead, he suggested Netflix should not produce its own Indonesian films for now and focus on streaming movies owned or produced by Indonesians. Such a request, he said, was intended to develop and protect the rights of local filmmakers.
Since 2016, Netflix has been blocked by several cellular and Internet service providers, claiming the company has yet to comply with Indonesian regulations regarding media content.
Education and Culture minister Nadiem Makarim had recently announced a US$1 million partnership with Netflix to train local scriptwriters.