GMS Bantul Congregation Holds Worship at Pakuwon Mall Until Full Permit Approval
Bantul Regency Head Abdul Halim Muslih disclosed the agreement reached between the Regional Security and Governance Council (Forkopimda) and the Sewon-based Gereja Misa Sejahtera (GMS) following the dissolution of worship services at the church. It was agreed that the church building would temporarily not be used for worship, with congregants instead holding services at Pakuwon Mall.
“It was agreed yesterday that the building would temporarily not be used for worship,” Halim told reporters at Masjid Agung Manunggal Bantul on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.
When asked if the Bantul Regency Government (Pemkab) would provide temporary worship facilities, Halim stated this was not part of the agreement, meaning the government cannot currently provide such facilities for GMS congregants.
“We are adhering to the previous agreement that our Christian brothers and sisters in GMS will temporarily refrain from using the building,” he added.
At the same venue, Bantul Regency Police Chief AKBP Bayu Puji Hariyanto confirmed a coordination meeting was held with relevant parties several days ago, involving the regency government and GMS Bantul.
“We held a coordination meeting with relevant parties, including GMS and the regency government. The outcome is that they will temporarily hold worship at Pakuwon Mall while awaiting the permit process,” he said.
Previously reported, the Bantul Regency Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB) had proposed that the regency government provide temporary worship facilities for GMS congregants while awaiting full church permits. The forum also suggested GMS could apply for a provisional permit.
FKUB Bantul Chairman Yasmuri stated that GMS Bantul must meet legal requirements for a place of worship, which must comply with Joint Ministerial Decree No. 9 and 8 of 2006 issued by the Ministers of Religious Affairs and Home Affairs on guidelines for establishing places of worship and maintaining religious harmony in Indonesia.
“All requirements must be met. Even if they continue worshipping without meeting these, it’s permissible, but not in a place considered an official place of worship,” he told detikJogja on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.
Therefore, Yasmuri proposed that the Bantul Regency Government provide temporary worship facilities for GMS congregants while they complete the necessary permits.
“If the place of worship does not meet the required criteria, the government must provide facilities for worship,” he added.
A second proposal, Yasmuri added, is for GMS Bantul to apply for a provisional permit for the place of worship with the regency government, with requirements outlined in the relevant Joint Regulation on establishing places of worship.
“The provisional permit has specific conditions under the Joint Regulation, including application requirements and a building that meets PBM standards. Therefore, there are at least two options: the government provides temporary facilities or they apply for a provisional permit,” he concluded.