Prayer House Sealed, Teluknaga District Head Provides Temporary Worship Space for POUK Congregation

TANGERANG, KOMPAS.com - Teluknaga sub-district head, Kurnia, stated that his office has provided a temporary worship space for the congregation of the Persekutuan Oikoumene Umat Kristen (POUK) Tesalonika in Kampung Melayu Timur Village, Tangerang Regency. The facility was prepared as a short-term solution following the sealing of the congregation’s prayer house due to the absence of a permit as a place of worship. “The government is facilitating a temporary space for worship activities in the shared office hall, while awaiting the congregation’s fulfilment of administrative requirements,” Kurnia said when contacted by Kompas.com on Sunday (5/4/2026). However, the prepared facility has not yet been used by the congregation, which is reportedly causing irritation among residents. “There is a discrepancy with the agreement, as worship activities are still being conducted at the original location,” he added. The government has never prohibited worship activities, but Kurnia urged that they be carried out in accordance with prevailing regulations, including obtaining the Building Construction Approval (PBG) for the prayer house, which has not yet met the requirements. “The government does not prohibit worship activities of any religious community. It only ensures that all worship house activities comply with applicable rules,” he stated. Nevertheless, the sub-district office will continue to open channels for dialogue to find a solution to the issue. “We urge the community to maintain harmony and prioritise deliberation in resolving the matter,” he said. Previously, residents visited the POUK prayer house after Good Friday worship on Friday (3/4/2026). They arrived suddenly, right after Friday prayers concluded, at around 12.30 WIB. Upon arrival, they gathered around the prayer house building, which was tightly guarded by a joint team of police, military, and Satpol PP officers.