Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor
The Gunung Putri district administration in Bogor regency, has stopped the activities of three Christian churches in Griya Bukit Jaya housing complex.
The decision was made Tuesday in a meeting between local officials, representatives from the district office of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Minister Ridwan Kurniawan and Minister Karel Silitonga from the All Churches Coordinating Board (BKSG) in Bogor.
Gunung Putri administration secretary Asep Santana said Wednesday that in the meeting it was agreed that the churches would comply with the newly issued ministerial regulation prohibiting the use of residences or shop-houses as places of worship.
""A shop-house is a commercial premise, not a place to hold religious activities ... Only the inhabitants of a house are allowed to perform a religious service there,"" he asserted.
Two of the Christian congregations were holding church services in houses, while the third was held in a shop-house.
Asep referred to the joint regulation issued by the religious affairs minister and home minister that serves as a guideline for local administrations to prevent conflict among people of different religions.
The regulation stipulates that in the case where a building is used as a place of worship the organizers have to obtain approval from the regent or mayor and have to meet several requirements, including maintaining public order and peace in the community.
Asep acknowledged that the Christian ministers had previously come to him asking for approval to build permanent church buildings.
""I told them to join the existing churches such as the Bunda Hati Kudus Church in Kota Wisata housing estate,"" he said.
The new ministerial regulation that replaced the previous decree on the establishment of places of worship has made it a must for congregations to seek the approval of people of different religions in the community.
Furthermore, as most of the Christian sects are not grouped under a big church association and only have a few members, they prefer to hold services in rented conference rooms, shop-houses or residences.
Minister Ridwan Kurniawan of Pentecostal Indonesian Bethel Church (GBI), which usually holds services at a house in Griya Bukit Jaya housing complex, said that he had already obtained approval from the Bogor regent to build a church.
""During the meeting yesterday, I asked the district administration to allow us to hold services at the house until we can build a church. But we first have to get approval from Muslims in the neighborhood,"" he said.
""I don't know where else we can go while waiting for their decision.
