Bantul Regency Government Reveals Latest Progress on GMS Church Permit

The Bantul Regency Government has stated that the licensing process for the GMS Bantul Church is currently at the stage of processing the Certificate of Occupancy (SLF) and Building Approval (PBG). Once all requirements are met, the next step will be obtaining a recommendation from the Panggungharjo Village Government in Sewon, Bantul.

“The process for managing the building’s SLF and PBG is still ongoing,” said Hermawan Setiaji, Assistant for Governance and Public Welfare of the Bantul Regency Regional Secretariat, when contacted on Friday (3/7/2026).

Once the SLF and PBG requirements are finalised, the process will proceed to the recommendation stage, which is issued by the Panggungharjo Village Government. “Once that is finished, it will serve as an attachment for the Village Head when drafting the recommendation. So, at this moment, the process is still at that stage (managing SLF and PBG),” he added.

It was previously reported that the GMS Bantul Church stated they had submitted additional requirements for the use of the church to the Bantul Regency Government and are currently awaiting the issuance of the permit. “All additional requirements have been submitted to the Bantul Regency Government since late May, and we are currently waiting for a response from the Regency Government,” said Josiah Michael, Public Relations for GMS Central, when contacted on Wednesday (24/6/2026).

Josiah expressed hope that the Bantul Regency Government could expedite the issuance of the permit so that the congregation can conduct worship services at GMS.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Bantul FKUB (Forum for Religious Harmony), Yasmuri, stated that the FKUB has not yet provided a written opinion regarding the temporary permit for the use of the place of worship. He noted that they are still awaiting permits from the building owner and the local village head.

“This means that GMS itself has not yet completed its applications,” he said.

GMS Bantul had previously come under scrutiny after its worship services were disrupted by several residents, who questioned the legality of the church’s establishment permit.