West Java Human Rights Ministry: Depok Funeral Mass Polemic Caused by Miscommunication

The West Java Regional Office of the Ministry of Human Rights (KemenHAM) has stated that the polemic regarding the alleged disbandment of a Mass of Consolation in Cipayung District, Depok City, was triggered by miscommunication and differences in interpretation that subsequently spread on social media. Head of the West Java KemenHAM Regional Office, Hasbullah Fudail, said his party had conducted field verification through coordination meetings and audiences with the Depok City Government, the Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB), the Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, local officials, and community leaders. “The verification results show that various social issues at the community level are often triggered by miscommunication and differences in interpretation, so preventive measures are needed that can respond quickly to the spread of information in the digital space,” Hasbullah said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday. According to him, the polemic began when the family of the deceased requested permission to hold a Mass of Consolation while the heads of the neighbourhood unit (RT) and community unit (RW) were out of town attending a Depok City Government activity. A statement by the RT head, who said he could not be held responsible if a disturbance occurred because no local administrators were on site, was interpreted as a prohibition. This statement was recorded and spread on social media, creating a perception that a worship service had been disbanded. Hasbullah said the local government, together with sub-district officials, the police, the National Unity and Politics Agency (Kesbangpol), and the FKUB, immediately facilitated mediation that evening, allowing the prayer service to continue until the departure of the body to the Yayasan Lembaga Cornelis Chastelein (YLCC) funeral home. The West Java KemenHAM Regional Office also visited the funeral home and held a dialogue directly with the family of the deceased to ascertain the situation on the ground. “Based on the verification results, both parties have forgiven each other and the situation is confirmed to be conducive,” he said. As a follow-up, the Depok City Government together with the FKUB will strengthen the dissemination of Joint Ministerial Regulation No. 8 and No. 9 of 2006 down to the RT/RW level, reactivate public funeral homes for underprivileged communities through cooperation with regional public hospitals, and draft a Regional Regulation on Human Rights Affairs. In addition, the West Java KemenHAM Regional Office is encouraging the Depok City FKUB to involve young people with an understanding of the digital world to accelerate the dissemination of accurate information when sensitive issues arise in the community. “The West Java KemenHAM Regional Office is fully committed to continuing to collaborate and be present with local governments in overseeing all humanitarian affairs and maintaining a conducive ecosystem of tolerance,” Hasbullah said. The incident involving the alleged prohibition or debate that led to the relocation of the Mass of Consolation occurred in Cipayung District, Depok City, on Sunday evening (28/6) at around 7 p.m. Western Indonesia Time. The incident took place at a funeral home on Jalan Haji Abdul Azis, Bulak Timur, RT 005/RW 09, Cipayung, Depok. The grieving family intended to hold a memorial/consolation Mass and had tried to seek permission from the local RT head, but the RT head was out of town. When the priest and congregation arrived on Sunday evening, a debate and miscommunication occurred with local administrators/residents. The matter was resolved peacefully through a mediation process involving the family, community representatives, and related parties. The Mass of Consolation was then relocated and held safely at the Yayasan Lembaga Cornelis Chastelein (YLCC) Funeral Home in Pancoran Mas, Depok.