F

ake news saying that Southeast Asia’s largest church would be built in Cikupa, Tangerang regency, has forced non-governmental organization Yayasan Tunas Manunggal to halt the construction of a Catholic school because of widespread public opposition.

Yayasan Tunas Manunggal, which manages Santa Laurensia private school in Alam Sutera, Serpong, South Tangerang, planned to develop a branch of Santa Laurensia in Suvarna Sutera, Cikupa, Tangerang regency.

After getting a building construction permit (IMB) and other required licenses, the NGO began the construction of the new Catholic educational institution, a four-story building with 38 classrooms located on a 4.5-hectare plot of land, in early October. The school is expected to open in 2018, according to initial plans.

However, several days after the construction began, false reports saying that the largest church in Southeast Asia and a school would be developed on the land circulated on social media, resulting in a protest on Oct. 4 in which 500 people gathered around the construction site demanding that the institution stop the project.

The head of the construction project, Pilonedi Sion, said the protesters, who denied having affiliations with certain civil organization groups, accused the foundation of having no IMB and other permits.

They protested what they thought was the development of a church on the land even though the NGO only planned to develop a school, Pilonedi said.

“During the protest, we showed the protesters that we had obtained all the required licenses. We also told them no church would be built on the land,” he told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

Yayasan Tunas Manunggal halted the development two weeks ago and informed locals about the actual plan after holding a discussion with the local administration.

The foundation wanted to continue the project as soon as possible, but it would wait for the tensions to ease, Pilonedi said. However, as the false reports spread, so did the tensions.

This week, invitations urging residents to hold another protest on Oct. 20, together with clerics, ulema and social organizations, were sent out on social media.

“We don’t know who circulated the fake news. The police told us they would look for those people because the fake news was dangerous,” Pilonedi said.

In a seemingly late move to resolve the situation, Tangerang Regent Ahmed Zaki Iskandar asked the residents to not buy into the false reports about the church construction.

The administration issued a permit to construct a school, not a church, he said.

“We live in a country that upholds Pancasila and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) principles. Do not let fake news divide our unity and the harmony among the people,” Ahmed said in his statement.

Ahmed said he hoped the residents would critically assess the circulated information.

If there was a problem, the residents should settle it through a discussion, he added.

Meanwhile, Tangerang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sabilul Alif said the police had obtained information about people who circulated the false reports.

Despite the existing Electronic Information and Transactions Law, the police showed leniency in the case by not charging the people spreading the fake news.

“We gave them guidance. It’s not necessary for us to inform the public about it,” Sabilul said, refusing to give further details. The protest on Oct. 20 would also be cancelled, he said.