Bantul Regent Condemns Church Worship Disruption as Persecution

Bantul Regent Abdul Halim Muslih stated that the disruption of worship activities by the Gereja Misi Sejahtera (GMS) congregation in his area several days ago constituted persecution.

Halim stated that Islamic teachings regard diversity among ethnicities, religions, and races as part of divine order (sunatullah), and that Prophet Muhammad responded to differences with tolerance.

“Persecution and intimidation of worshippers are unacceptable and cannot be justified from either a religious or constitutional perspective,” Halim said at Masjid Agung Manunggal Bantul in Bantul, Yogyakarta Special Region, on Wednesday (27/5).

He stressed that granting non-Muslims the freedom to worship is part of practising Islamic teachings.

“No one, especially not in the name of religion, can justify persecuting or disrupting others’ worship — this has no basis whatsoever,” he asserted.

In addition to contradicting religious teachings, Halim said the action also violates the constitution.

He highlighted Article 29(2) of the 1945 Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the freedom to practise their chosen religion and worship.

“Those responsible for such persecution can be punished under the law and the constitution,” he stressed.

However, Halim distinguished between the right to worship and the issue of buildings used as places of worship.

He said the use of buildings for places of worship must still comply with applicable regulations, including the Joint Ministerial Decree (SKB 2 Menteri) and Building Construction Approval (PBG) requirements.

He added that places of worship must also meet functional suitability criteria as stipulated in regulations.

Halim said the local government, along with the regional security council (Forkopimda), Ministry of Religion, and the Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB), would follow up on GMS’s application according to established procedures.

“The regent will await recommendations from the Ministry of Religion and FKUB. We will then assess whether the permit application meets the requirements,” he said.

While the process continues, the building used by GMS in Glugo, Panggungharjo, Sewon, Bantul has been agreed to temporarily cease use for worship. In the meantime, services have moved to a mall.

“It was agreed yesterday that the building would temporarily not be used for worship,” he said.

Furthermore, Halim stressed that the incident serves as a reminder for Indonesians to continuously learn to understand diversity as a necessity.

He also reminded the public, particularly Muslims in Bantul Regency, to maintain tolerance in community life.

“Let us proceed through this process; this incident shows that Indonesians must continually learn, as diversity is indeed a significant challenge for us,” he said.

Police statement

Bantul Police Chief AKBP Bayu Puji Hariyanto stated there is no room for intolerance, but his office has not yet received any police reports regarding the incident.

“We have already secured the situation; they will temporarily worship at Pakuwon Mall while the permit process is ongoing. That is the agreement,” Bayu said.

Acting Head of Bantul Regency’s Agency for National Unity and Politics (Kesbangpol), Yulius Suharta, detailed the incident’s circumstances.

He revealed that GMS has been renting hotel rooms in Panggungharjo for worship.

Yulius said that last Sunday, GMS held a thanksgiving worship after moving to a new rented building in Glugo, located near the ring road.

However, the activity faced opposition from community organisations questioning the building’s permit status for use as a place of worship.

“The opposition relates to whether the necessary permits have been obtained,” Yulius said when contacted on Monday (25/5).

He noted the government had already been working to anticipate the issue with local village and district officials since the opposition arose. A meeting with church representatives was held on Saturday (23/5).

However, he said mass movements still occurred during the worship service.

Yulius stated that GMS had obtained a Reporting Acknowledgement Letter (SKTL) from the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion for the building used as a church.

However, Bantul Regency Government is reviewing whether the document suffices as legal legitimacy or if additional administrative requirements for using the building as a place of worship are needed.

GMS officials said the incident has left trauma, particularly among child congregants.

Meanwhile, a coordination meeting to determine the next steps for Bantul Regency Government regarding the incident is scheduled for today, involving Bantul Regent Abdul Halim Muslih and Forkopimda members.

Abdurrahman, Chairman of the Islamic Jihad Forum (FJI) in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), claimed his group’s actions were to prevent local conflicts from escalating.

“There is much misinformation accusing us of disrupting worship and intolerance. The residents had already rejected it; if not quickly disbanded, the conflict would have escalated,” Abdurrahman said when contacted on Monday (25/5).