T

he South Jakarta municipality has closed down the Batak Karo Protestant Church (GBKP) in Tanjung Barat, Pasar Minggu, as a result of protests from neighboring residents for the church reportedly not having a house of worship building license (IMB).

Protests were conducted by Tanjung Barat residents of community unit (RW) 04, who hung a banner stating they “object to any church buildings” in their area.

South Jakarta mayor Tri Kurniadi issued a letter to the church, saying that its building license (IMB) was not for a house of worship, but for an office.

“The church does not have the required IMB and thus the RW 04 residents [have the right to] refuse the church’s presence,” he said in the letter on Friday, adding that the church’s management was given the chance to file for the proper IMB until Sept. 26, but failed to meet the deadline.

However, a congregation still came Sunday amid the protests and prohibition. Pastor Penrad Siagian said the church had tried to file the IMB documents, but the Tanjung Barat subdistrict office was unresponsive.

“This is our right. The country has a responsibility to protect its citizens’ rights to worship,” he said.

A reporter from the kbr.id news portal was reportedly intimidated by protesters while covering Sunday mass at the church.