Full Statement by Sultan HB X on Disruption of GMS Church Service in Bantul

A group disrupted a worship service at the Gereja Misi Sejahtera (GMS) in Sewon, Bantul, on Sunday (24 May). The Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, has commented on the incident.

Meeting at the Kepatihan complex in Yogyakarta City on Monday (25 May 2026), Sultan HB X addressed the issue of differences related to the event. His full statement was as follows:

“Human beings inherently have differences, but fail to understand that Allah created races, religions, and origins to be distinct. Differences are inevitable; this is how creation is. No one is inherently right. None.

That is all. It’s about awareness and understanding.”

Previously, social media posts reported the forced disruption of a church service in Sewon, Bantul, by a group.

“Again, today I received reports of a forced disruption of worship by GMS Bantul congregants by intolerant elements, even involving violence. Please address this, @yudhawk157,” wrote @davidherson_official’s Instagram post, as seen by detikJogja on Monday (25 May).

“They seem to have forgotten that the state guarantees, under Article 29(1) and (2) of the 1945 Constitution, that everyone has the right to worship according to their beliefs. Please pay attention and take strict action against these intolerant elements @kapolri_indonesia @pemkabbantul @kemenag_ri @polresbantuldiy @poldajogja,” the post continued.

When asked for confirmation, Acting Head of Bantul’s Kesbangpol, Yulius Suharta, confirmed the incident occurred on Sunday (24 May).

“Kesbangpol does not just wait for reports; upon receiving information yesterday about potential opposition to GMS activities, we had already coordinated,” he told reporters.

Yulius added that Kesbangpol had attempted to anticipate the situation, but the incident still occurred.

“We tried to anticipate it, but indeed yesterday there was movement at the GMS activity site,” he said.

Meanwhile, the DIY chapter of the Forum Jihad Islam (FJI) explained the incident. FJI DIY Chairman Abdurrahman stated they received reports from residents about GMS’s inauguration. FJI DIY arrived at the location around 8:00 AM WIB on Sunday (24 May).

“The building has been under construction for two years. Yesterday, GMS was planning to hold the inauguration ceremony,” Abdurrahman told reporters on Monday (25 May).