GMS Bantul has stated it is completing administrative requirements\nfor a permit to resume worship at its church in Glugo, Panggungharjo,\nSewon, Bantul, following a forced dispersal by a group that went viral.\nCurrently, congregants are holding services at Pakuwon Mall.<\/p>\n
GMS Central Public Relations Officer Josiah Michael said the church\nis ready to meet all permit requirements. \u2018We are continuously\ncoordinating on administrative compliance,\u2019 Michael told media on\nWednesday (27\/5\/2026). \u2018GMS Bantul is prepared to provide any additional\ndocuments if needed,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Bantul Police Chief AKBP Bayu Puji Hariyanto said a\ncoordination meeting was held with the regency government and GMS,\nresulting in congregants holding services at Pakuwon Mall. \u2018We held a\ncoordination meeting yesterday with relevant parties, including GMS and\nthe regency government. The agreement is for them to temporarily worship\nat Pakuwon Mall while awaiting permit approval,\u2019 he stated during an\ninterview at Manunggal Grand Mosque in Bantul.<\/p>\n
Bantul Regent Abdul Halim Muslih explained that the church building\ncannot be used temporarily. \u2018It was agreed yesterday that the building\nwill not be used for worship for the time being,\u2019 Halim said at the same\nlocation.<\/p>\n
Regarding whether the regency government will provide a temporary\nworship space for GMS Bantul congregants, Halim stated this was not part\nof the agreement, so the regency cannot offer a temporary venue. \u2018We are\nfollowing the previous agreement that GMS Christian congregants should\nnot use the building for now,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
Halim added that the forced dispersal of worship at GMS Bantul\nviolates religious teachings and the constitution. \u2018Persecution and\nintimidation of worshippers is unacceptable, both from a religious and\nconstitutional perspective,\u2019 he stressed.<\/p>\n
According to Halim, Prophet Muhammad handled differences with\ntolerance, meaning diversity is part of God\u2019s will and tolerance is a\nprophetic tradition. \u2018Therefore, anyone, especially Muslims, must allow\nnon-Muslims to worship freely as part of Islamic teachings,\u2019 he said.\n\u2018No one, especially in the name of religion, can persecute or disband\nothers\u2019 worship \u2013 this is completely unfounded,\u2019 Halim added.<\/p>\n
In constitutional terms, Article 29 Paragraph 2 of the 1945\nConstitution guarantees every resident the right to practise their\nreligion and worship according to their beliefs. \u2018Thus, persecution and\nintimidation of others violate both religious teachings and the\nconstitution \u2013 this is clearly unacceptable,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
Polda DIY Investigates<\/p>\n
The Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) Police stated that the General\nCriminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimum) has begun\ninvestigating the widely reported forced dispersal incident on Sunday\n(24\/5). The case is being handled officially under Police Report\nNo.\u00a0LP\/A\/6\/V\/2026\/SPKT.DITRESKRIMUM\/POLDA D.I YOGYAKARTA dated 25 May\n2026. \u2018The case is under investigation,\u2019 said Polda DIY\u2019s Public\nRelations Chief Kombes Ihsan in a written statement. \u2018Officers are\ngathering evidence and taking statements from witnesses to fully\nestablish the sequence of events,\u2019 he added. Ihsan explained that if\nsufficient initial evidence is found during the case review, the status\nwill be elevated to a formal investigation. Polda DIY is committed to\nthoroughly and transparently resolving the case, urging the public to\nremain calm and trust the handling of the matter to law enforcement and\nlocal authorities. \u2018The situation at the site is currently stable and\nunder control. We urge all citizens to remain calm, not be provoked by\ndivisive narratives on social media, and leave resolution to law\nenforcement and local government,\u2019 he stressed.<\/p>\n
Previously reported, social media posts alleging a forced dispersal\nof worship at a church in Sewon, Bantul, by a community organisation\n(ormas) have gone viral. Bantul\u2019s National Unity and Politics Agency\n(Kesbangpol) said it is taking steps to maintain stability. \u2018Once again,\nI received reports of a forced worship dispersal experienced by GMS\nBantul congregants due to intolerant elements, even involving violence.\nPlease address this @yudhawk157<\/span>,\u2019 said Instagram user @davidherson_official<\/span>, as seen\nby detikJogja. \u2018Do they forget that the state guarantees, per Article\n29:1&2 of the 1945 Constitution, everyone\u2019s right to worship\naccording to their beliefs? Please pay attention and take firm action\nagainst intolerant elements @kapolri_indonesia<\/span> @pemkabbantul<\/span> @kemenag_ri<\/span> @polresbantuldiy<\/span>\n@poldajogja<\/span>,\u2019 the\naccount added.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gms-bantul-pledges-to-complete-administrative-requirements-to-resume-church-worship-1779929574", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }