Jakarta, Aug. 31 -- The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has urged the public to avoid violence, vandalism, and looting when staging demonstrations against the authorities.

"We appeal to citizens to refrain from unlawful acts, such as damaging public facilities or seizing other people's belongings," said Asrorun Niam Sholeh, MUI's Chairperson for Fatwa, in Jakarta on Sunday.

His remarks followed reports that protesters had looted the private residences of several House of Representatives (DPR) members on Saturday.

While acknowledging the people's right to dissent, Sholeh stressed that violence, vandalism, and looting run counter to both religious values and national law.

"For those who have looted, stashed, or are unlawfully keeping oth...