Apply smoking fatwa to Muhammadiyah members first, PPP lawmaker says

Muhammad Romahurmuziy, the party chairman of Islam-based United Development Party (PPP), criticized the issuance of a 'haram' fatwa (edict) on smoking by the second-largest Muslim organization in the country, Muhammadiyah.

Romy, the nickname of Romahurmuziy, said that banning smoking was endorsed but should be implemented gradually.

“Muhammadiyah’s edict should be effective on its organizational members first before it acts as a fatwa affecting every Muslim in the country,” Romy said.

He said that banning smoking for Muslims nationwide could lead to a massive negative impact.

“Millions of Indonesians are currently tobacco farmers and cigarette workers. The edict may seriously affect the economy,” Romy said.