Hundreds Protest Approved Church Construction in Indonesia's West Java
A West Java human rights office says the congregation completed its administrative requirements. The regent has urged calm while residents press for a review.
PURWAKARTA, Indonesia —
Hundreds of residents in Purwakarta, West Java, have protested plans to build a Simalungun Protestant Christian Church (GKPS) in Cikopo Village, Bungursari District, International Christian Concern reported Oct. 20.
The protesters went to the local government office and the Ministry of Religious Affairs to voice their opposition, according to ICC. They questioned how community support for the church was checked and asked the government to review documents and recommendations already issued.
Purwakarta Regent Saepul Bahri Binzein said the local government would stay neutral and follow the law, and he called for calm and dialogue.
The Ministry of Human Rights office in West Java said the church had completed its administrative requirements, ICC reported, and that freedom of religion is a basic right protected under Indonesian law.
ICC said similar protests against church buildings happen often in Indonesia, citing an earlier case in Central Java in June. Watchman News has not independently confirmed the details.
