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Issue of the day: GKI Yasmin upset over relocation plan
Stateless condition: Christians rally in front of the State Palace in protest at the closure of two churches at the Yasmin housing compound in Bogor and in Bekasi, West Java
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Stateless condition: Christians rally in front of the State Palace in protest at the closure of two churches at the Yasmin housing compound in Bogor and in Bekasi, West Java. Despite a verdict of the Supreme Court in favor the GKI Yasmin community, the church has not been allowed to reopen.(JP/DON) (JP/DON)
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span class="inline inline-center">Stateless condition: Christians rally in front of the State Palace in protest at the closure of two churches at the Yasmin housing compound in Bogor and in Bekasi, West Java. Despite a verdict of the Supreme Court in favor the GKI Yasmin community, the church has not been allowed to reopen.(JP/DON)
Nov. 12, p9
The struggles of the Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) Yasmin congregation in Bogor, West Java, to defend their house of worship have faced yet another turn of the screw as church parishioners said they had received information that the Bogor administration would relocate their church in the near future.
This is not the first time the Bogor administration has planned to relocate the church.
The church's spokesman, Bona Sigalingging, said Wednesday that by relocating GKI Yasmin, the city administration demonstrated its lack of respect toward pluralism in the country and that such a position would only lead to deeper religious segmentation in the country.
'We received information in October that the city administration would proceed with the relocation plan. It is a very dangerous step because it shows they don't support religious pluralism,' Bona told The Jakarta Post.
The rift surrounding GKI Yasmin started when the Bogor city administration issued a decree freezing the church's building permit (IMB) in February 2008 in response to Islamic opposition.
Rulings from the Bandung State Administrative Court (PTUN) and a ruling from State Administrative High Court in Jakarta ordered the administration to revoke the decree but the Bogor administration simply rejected the judicial rulings and sealed up the church building.
Your comments:
Expecting or demanding that the opposing group respect pluralism is weak and ineffective because pluralism is only a conceptual platform for harmony, an idyllic philosophy to enhance stability in a multiethnic or multifaith society or setting.
The church should base its argument on the constitutional legality of its civil 'right' to be treated equally and fairly as any other faith or religion in Indonesia. The victory at the Supreme Court in 2010 reaffirmed its legal and civil rights.
Every religion has equal standing and rights in society. No religion should subjugate or oppress another, including on matters where one wishes to establish a church or mosque.
No one religion should dictate the government. Those 'opposing' should be treated as lawbreakers, thus punishable by laws.
The role of the Bogor administration cannot be ambiguous and it must respect the Supreme Court's decision and ensure GKI Yasmin's rights are respected and protected.
James Waworoendeng
This does not sound right. I wonder if the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) can find out the name of who's responsible for this plan. There should be paper trails. This person should be reported to the PTUN and eventually the Religious Affairs Ministry.
Want2makecents
Such problems would be permanently resolved by Soeharto.
Deddy K.
Since Indonesia does not operate within any law, it is not surprising to see this happening.
Charlesjarret
Indonesian authorities must implement the law as it stands and not favor any one group.
Masmon
The only solution is to respect the Supreme Court ruling. If Soeharto was alive and still president, the problem would have already been resolved.
Will56
Bogor Mayor Arya Bima stopped a Shia celebration 'for security reasons' a few weeks ago and banned the sale of beer in Bogor supermarkets. It's very sad that Bima is tolerated by the government. There is just no rule of law in this country.
Smartsolution
