GMS Church Service Disruption Case Advances to Investigation Stage

The case of the disruption of a worship service at Gereja Misi Sejahtera (GMS) in Sewon, Bantul, by a mass organisation last Sunday (24 May) remains under police investigation. The Yogyakarta Regional Police (Polda DIY) has escalated the case to the investigation stage. ‘On Friday, 29 May 2026, Polda DIY investigators held a case conference and elevated the case to the investigation stage,’ said Polda DIY’s Head of Public Relations, Kombes Ihsan, in a video statement received by reporters on Monday, 1 June 2026. Investigators have so far interviewed 16 witnesses, though Ihsan did not specify their identities. ‘Investigators have also conducted marathon interrogations of 16 witnesses,’ he added. Ihsan also stressed that freedom of worship is constitutionally guaranteed, and Polda DIY will not tolerate any interference during religious activities. ‘We reiterate that freedom of worship is protected under the constitution. Therefore, Polda DIY will not tolerate any disruption, intimidation, or unilateral actions that interfere with worship activities,’ he stated. Ihsan urged the public to remain calm and not be provoked by videos or narratives circulating on social media. He also pledged to provide updates on the case. ‘We urge the public to fully entrust the resolution of this matter to the police and local government,’ he said. Previously, the congregation of GMS in Sewon, Bantul, was subjected to forced disruption of their worship by a mass organisation, with the incident going viral on social media. An Instagram post by @davidherson_official stated: ‘Again today, I received reports of forced worship disruption at Bantul GMS congregation by intolerant individuals, including violence. Please address this, @yudhawk157.’ It added: ‘Do they forget that this nation guarantees, under Article 29:1&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 individuals @kapolri_indonesia @pemkabbantul @kemenag_ri @polresbantuldiy @poldajogja.’ Acting Head of Bantul’s Agency for Politics and Mass Organizations (Kesbangpol), Yulius Suharta, confirmed the incident occurred on Sunday, 24 May. He said Kesbangpol had attempted to anticipate the movement but the incident still happened. ‘We tried to anticipate it, but the movement at the GMS venue did occur yesterday,’ he said. The Forum Jihad Islam (FJI) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) commented after being identified as the group that disbanded the service. FJI DIY stated the worship was disrupted due to public objections and licensing issues. ‘The building has been under construction for two years. Yesterday, GMS was planning to officially inaugurate it,’ said FJI DIY Chairman Abdurrahman on Monday, 25 May 2026.