Bantul Regency Government Reveals Latest Progress on GMS Church Permit

The Bantul Regency Government has stated that the permit process for the Gereja Misi Sejahtera (GMS) Bantul is currently at the stage of processing the certificate of proper function (SLF) and building approval (PBG). Once these are complete, the next step will be a recommendation from the Panggungharjo village administration in Sewon, Bantul. “The SLF and PBG are still being processed,” said Hermawan Setiaji, Assistant for Government and People’s Welfare at the Bantul Regional Secretariat, when contacted on Friday (3/7/2026). He explained that once the SLF and PBG requirements are fulfilled, the process will proceed to the recommendation stage, which will be issued by the Panggungharjo village government. “Later, when that is finished, it will become an attachment for the village head when compiling the recommendation. So, the process is currently at that stage (processing the SLF and PBG),” he stated. It was previously reported that GMS Bantul had submitted additional requirements to use the church to the Bantul Regency Government. The church is still waiting for the permit to be issued. “All additional requirements were submitted to the Bantul Regency Government at the end of May, and we are currently waiting for a response from the Bantul Regency Government,” said GMS Central Public Relations officer Josiah Michael. Josiah expressed hope that the Bantul Regency Government could expedite the issuance of the permit so that the congregation can hold services at GMS. Meanwhile, the Head of the Bantul Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB), Yasmuri, stated that FKUB has not yet provided a written opinion regarding the temporary permit for the place of worship. He noted that they are still waiting for permits from the building owner and the local village head. “This means that GMS has not yet completed its applications,” he said. GMS Bantul previously drew attention after its worship service was dispersed by a group of residents who questioned the church’s establishment permit.