Viral Church Service Disruption in Bantul, Regency Government Confirms Stability
A video alleging the disruption of a Christian worship service in Glugo, Panggungharjo, Sewon, Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region, by residents has gone viral on social media. The uploaded footage shows crowds gathered at a building reportedly used as a place of worship, with police present during the dispersal. The caption identifies the incident as involving members of GMS (Gereja Misi Sejahtera).
Acting Head of Bantul Regency’s Regional Unity and Politics Agency (Kesbangpol), Yulius Suharta, confirmed the incident occurred on Sunday (24 May). He stated that GMS typically rents rooms in a hotel in Panggungharjo for worship services.
On Sunday, the congregation held a thanksgiving service at their newly rented premises in Glugo, located near the ring road. However, a local organisation opposed the activity due to questions over the building’s permit status.
“The opposition relates to whether the necessary permits have been obtained,” Suharta said when contacted on Monday (25 May).
Suharta claimed his agency had been proactively coordinating with local village and sub-district officials since the opposition emerged, holding a meeting with church representatives on Saturday (23 May).
“We attempted to prevent this, but the situation at GMS’s activity site unfolded as it did yesterday,” he added.
He noted that GMS holds a Certificate of Reporting (SKTL) issued by the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs for the building used as a church. However, Kesbangpol is still verifying if the SKTL suffices as legal legitimacy or if additional administrative requirements are needed for the building to function as a place of worship, specifically a church.
“Confirmed reports indicate a social event took place there on Thursday, followed by a thanksgiving service for the new rented premises on Sunday,” he explained.
A coordination meeting to determine Bantul Regency Government’s next steps regarding the incident is scheduled for today’s afternoon. Regent Abdul Halim Muslih and the regional security forum (Forkopimda) will make a decision on the GMS case.
“Most importantly, we are taking swift action to ensure stability in Bantul Regency,” he said.
Meanwhile, on-site observations showed police checking the building used by GMS in Glugo. Two large structures are present at the front and back; construction workers were seen renovating the interior at the front.