HKBP church followers agree not to pray in empty land

HKBP church followers in Pondok Timur Indah, Bekasi, West Java agreed to hold Sunday's prayer in a building provided by a local government, instead of insisting on holding it in a controversial empty land in Ciketing.

HKBP church lawyer Saor Siagian said the decision was made after listening to a number of various parties.

"We see our case has turned into a political scene. Demonstrations now bring race, religion, and ethnic issues, which are unhealthy," he said as quoted by kompas.com.

"It's a bit hard to accept that we have to pray in a building that doesn't belong to us, but we need to have a big heart."

He said the HKBP church had checked out a nearby land offered by the local government to replace the current land where they usually held Sunday's prayer despite the local people opposition.

He also urged the police to resolve an attack against the church pastors. "All the perpetrators must be arrested."