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GKPI church extension dismantled
Deconstruction site: A motorist passes the Indonesian Protestant Christian Church (GKPI) in Jatinegera, East Jakarta, on Saturday as workers dismantle a second-storey extension
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Deconstruction site: A motorist passes the Indonesian Protestant Christian Church (GKPI) in Jatinegera, East Jakarta, on Saturday as workers dismantle a second-storey extension. The extension was halted after the church failed to acquire a building permit.(JP/Wendra Ajistyatama) (GKPI) in Jatinegera, East Jakarta, on Saturday as workers dismantle a second-storey extension. The extension was halted after the church failed to acquire a building permit.(JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
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span class="inline inline-center">Deconstruction site: A motorist passes the Indonesian Protestant Christian Church (GKPI) in Jatinegera, East Jakarta, on Saturday as workers dismantle a second-storey extension. The extension was halted after the church failed to acquire a building permit.(JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
After reports went viral about its renovations without permits, the Indonesian Protestant Christian Church (GKPI) eventually dismantled the second floor of its church building in Jatinegara, East Jakarta, on Saturday.
Kompas.com reported that workers tore down the a of the second floor that was still under construction while others uninstalled a roof made of light steel.
During the demolition, the congregants gathered inside the church while dozens of police officers guarded the building outside.
Jatinegra district head Sofyan Taher, who witnessed the process, said that he gave the congregants until the end of this week to dismantle the extensions themselves.
'We gave them two days to tear down the additions to the building,' he said as quoted by kompas.com.
He added that it was better that the congregants did it themselves, rather than it being done by the city administration.
Sofyan said the GKPI could not renovate the building if they did not have the relevant permits.
However, he said that they were allowed to continue using the first floor as a church as long as they fulfilled all the requirements. Requirements for the house of worship include agreements of support from at least 60 surrounding residents.
'They have told me that if they could not fulfill the requirements, they would find another place,' he said.
According to the congregants, they previously collected 60 signatures, but some of the residents have since retracted their support.
