Controversy over Church Construction Plan in Solo Prompts City Government Intervention

A plan to construct a Javanese Christian Church (GKJ) in the Banyuanyar sub-district, Banjarsari, Surakarta (Solo), has been met with rejection from a group of residents. The Surakarta city government has stepped in to address the issue.

The Head of the Surakarta National and Political Unity Agency, Agus Santoso, confirmed the rejection on Friday (12/6/2026). He stated that his office had invited both the church construction committee and the opposing parties for discussions the previous day, Thursday (11/6).

He explained that the rejection was triggered by an internal meeting of the church development committee, which was misinterpreted by the masses as a public socialisation agenda. They assumed the construction process was already underway, even though the necessary permits had not yet been completed.

"Both parties have presented their views. We have directed the church construction committee to complete the permits in accordance with the Joint Regulation of the Minister of Religious Affairs and the Minister of Home Affairs No. 8 and 9 of 2026. For example, fulfilling the requirement of 90 users and obtaining the approval of 60 local residents who hold identity cards and are domiciled in the area, as well as submitting a Building Construction Permit (IMB)," Agus clarified.

He advised the committee to promptly process and complete the permit documents so they can be verified and legalised by the local sub-district office. The National and Political Unity Agency also requested that the opposing group exercise restraint to maintain security and order in Solo.

The Head of the Administrative Sub-Division of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Solo, Bagus Sigit, stated that there are regulations that must be complied with. He emphasised that there is no intervention in the licensing process.

"Our task is to ensure the requirements stipulated in the Joint Regulation of the Minister of Religious Affairs and the Minister of Home Affairs No. 8 and 9 of 2026 are met. To ensure that there is no intervention in the process of completing the permits," Bagus Sigit stressed.