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View all search resultsReligious Affairs Ministry vows crackdown on intolerance
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A police officer stands guard in front of a Christian prayer house on July 28 following a violent disruption of religious activities in Padang Sarai, Padang, West Sumatra. A group of residents vandalized the property belonging to the Indonesian Faithful Christian Church (GKSI) Anugerah Padang on July 27, leading to the arrest of nine individuals. (Antara/Iggoy el Fitra)
T
he Religious Affairs Ministry has pledged to act firmly in addressing recurring incidents of violent intolerance in Indonesia by involving the police and the intelligence agency, while rights groups push for inclusive, grassroots-based solutions.
The promise came after a string of attacks on minority religious groups this year, including a mob assault on a Christian prayer house in Padang, West Sumatra, in late July and another attack in Sukabumi, West Java, a month earlier.
“We already have a list of recent cases and are handling them on a case by case basis,” Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar said in a statement last week.
“We are coordinating closely with security leaders, including the National Police chief, [...] and will soon meet with the State Intelligence Agency [BIN] to discuss preventive measures.”
Nasaruddin emphasized early detection to prevent interfaith conflicts, relying on prompt reporting from local officials.
Read also: State turns blind eye to rising intolerance
The ministry’s Center for Religious Harmony (PKUB) head Adib Abdushomad told The Jakarta Post last Thursday that the minister had instructed the development of an app-based early warning system for local officials and religious counselors to flag potential conflicts.
