Legal Action Imminent for Perpetrators of Worship Disruption at GMS Bantul Church
The Yogyakarta Regional Police (Polda DIY) have announced that the handling of the case involving the disruption of worship at the Misi Sejahtera Church (GMS) in Sewon, Bantul, has been elevated to the investigation stage. It is believed that more than one individual is involved in the incident.
Head of Public Relations for Polda DIY, Senior Commissioner Ihsan, stated that the case status was upgraded to investigation on 29 May following a case review by investigators. “On Friday, 29 May 2026, Polda DIY investigators conducted a case review and increased the status of the case to the investigation stage,” he said in a video statement received by journalists on Monday (1/6/2026).
To date, 16 witnesses have been interrogated in this case, though Ihsan did not specify the identities of those examined. “Investigators have conducted marathon examinations of 16 witnesses up to this point,” he noted.
He emphasised that freedom of worship is guaranteed by the constitution. “Therefore, Polda DIY will not tolerate any form of disturbance, intimidation, or unilateral actions that disrupt religious activities,” he asserted.
Applying Article 20 of the Criminal Code
Ihsan stated that authorities are still conducting further investigations to determine the specific roles of the perpetrators involved in the disruption on 24 May. Officers are also analysing CCTV footage, which will serve as the basis for identifying the suspects’ roles.
“We will fully unravel the sequence of events to establish the roles of the suspects,” Ihsan told journalists in Depok, Sleman, on Tuesday (2/6/2026). It is believed there are multiple suspects in this case. Ihsan noted that investigators intend to apply Article 20 of the Criminal Code regarding complicity in the incident.
He assured that the investigation is ongoing and that the police are committed to resolving the case thoroughly. “Our essence is our commitment to investigating this case to the end. We hope this is the last incident and that it serves as an alarm to others: do not attempt intimidation or unilateral actions that disturb public order or religious services.”
FJI to File Counter-Report
The Forum Jihad Islam (FJI) DIY, which is known to have been involved in the disruption, plans to file a counter-report with the police, alleging data manipulation by the GMS church. “For now, we will not issue a statement as we are preparing the documents for our counter-report,” said the Chairman of FJI DIY, Abdurrahman, when contacted on Tuesday (2/6/2026).
While Abdurrahman declined to provide specific details regarding the allegations of data manipulation, he confirmed that his group would cooperate with the police.
Background of the Disruption
Previously, a group of individuals disrupted worship at GMS Bantul on Sunday (24/5). The church authorities reported that the disruption involved intimidation and threats. Video of the incident went viral on social media.
Josiah Michael, spokesperson for GMS Pusat, expressed deep regret over the incident. “We deeply regret the disruption of worship accompanied by alleged physical and verbal intimidation and threats from an irresponsible group against our members in Bantul,” Michael stated on Tuesday (26/5/2026). He added that the incident has left trauma, particularly among child congregants, and noted that such actions violate fundamental human rights and constitutional protections regarding religious freedom.