Churches asked to step up security ties with locals<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Deputy Governor for Social Welfare Djailani said
\non Wednesday he could not guarantee security for churchgoers at
\nhouses of worship damaged in unrest last Sunday, but believed
\ntheir best bet was to strengthen security efforts with locals.<\/p>\n
\"It's too difficult to guarantee that there will no longer be
\nvandalism. What we can do now is just intensify self-protection
\nthrough the neighborhood security system.\"<\/p>\n
He was responding to requests from about 25 representatives of
\nchurches damaged during the riots.<\/p>\n
They were invited to City Hall to help compile data on the
\ndamage sustained and to show the administration's willingness to
\nassist them.<\/p>\n
The meeting revealed that 22 churches were vandalized or
\nburned in both Central and West Jakarta following clashes between
\nresidents of Ketapang in West Jakarta and security guards of a
\nnearby amusement center. Fourteen people died in the ensuing
\nunrest.<\/p>\n
Five institutions partly or completely burned were the Church
\nof Christ of Ketapang and Pantekosta church, both on Jl. Zainul
\nArifin; Santapan Rohani church on Jl. Taman Sari; Isa Al Masih
\nchurch and GKI Perniagaan church, both on Jl. Perniagaan.<\/p>\n
The administration has yet to reveal the financial toll of the
\nunrest, but Rev. Kumala Setiabrata from the Church of Christ said
\nhis congregation suffered losses of Rp 3.65 billion (US$486,666).<\/p>\n
Santapan Rohani church incurred losses of Rp 2.5 billion,
\nSidang Jemaat Allah church Rp 340 million and GKI Perniagaan
\nabout Rp 50 million, data showed.<\/p>\n
Desperate<\/p>\n
Most of the church representatives underlined the importance
\nof assuring security for congregation members.<\/p>\n
\"What we desperately need now is safety rather than material
\nsupport,\" said Father Handoko Msc from Catholic Bunda Hati Kudus
\nchurch in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"We are afraid and anxious when we are performing religious
\nservices.\"<\/p>\n
Handoko advised the administration to form a communication
\nforum of religious leaders.<\/p>\n
Anner Sihotang from Sidang Jemaat Allah church in West Jakarta
\nsaid his congregation remained uneasy because strangers were
\n\"spying\" on them.<\/p>\n
\"We don't know what they are looking for, but their presence
\nhas created fear among the congregation.\"<\/p>\n
Sihotang urged the administration to deploy security guards
\nduring next Sunday's services.<\/p>\n
Another representative, Rev. Luther Tan, from GKI Perniagaan
\nchurch said his congregation had decided to postpone renovation
\nof the gutted ground floor of the church.<\/p>\n
\"We are afraid that vandalism may occur again in the future
\nwhich would make the renovation useless,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Djailani said the meeting could not solve all the problems.<\/p>\n
\"This time we can just collect data on the financial losses
\nand see how far we can help rebuild the churches.\"<\/p>\n
He added that the administration would facilitate processing
\nof permits for renovation of the churches. (ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/churches-asked-to-step-up-security-ties-with-locals-1447893297",
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