Satpol PP Tangerang Seals Prayer House of POUK Thessalonica Congregation

TANGERANG, KOMPAS.com - The prayer house belonging to the Thessalonica Congregation of the Ecumenical Fellowship of Christian Communities (POUK) in Teluknaga, Tangerang Regency, was visited by residents after Good Friday worship on Friday (3/4/2026). Based on observations by Kompas.com at the location, residents from Kampung Tukang Kajak arrived at the site simultaneously at 12.30 WIB. They gathered around the prayer house building, which was tightly guarded by a joint team of police, TNI, and Satpol PP officers. All worshippers had returned home after the Good Friday service concluded. Meanwhile, the residents of Kampung Tukang Kajak remained at the location. The joint officers present then invited resident representatives to discuss the matter with the prayer house management. The discussion, witnessed by the Head of Satpol PP of Tangerang Regency, Ana Supriyatna, and the Teluknaga Sub-District Head, Kurnia, lasted about two hours until 14.30 WIB, resulting in a request to permanently close the prayer house. “The sealing must be permanent; nothing is allowed inside. If, for example, you turn on the lights or top up the token, it’s the same as violating the rules,” said resident representative Rasyid at the location on Friday. They affixed sealing stickers to the prayer house because it lacked a Building Construction Permit (PBG). “So, what we are sealing is the building. No activities of any kind are allowed inside, and the door has also been locked. All items have been removed,” said the Head of Satpol PP of Tangerang Regency, Ana Supriyatna. During the sealing process, tensions rose because the residents were dissatisfied with the method, which only involved stickers reading “This building/activity/business premises is sealed, violating Perda 13 of 2022 on Orderliness and Environmental Aesthetics.” Instead, they demanded padlocks to ensure it could not be entered at all, including for Easter worship later.