Indonesian people are inherently tolerant. That's due to the teachings of Pancasila state ideology. Therefore, I believe that there must be a reason why the building permit of the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (HKBP) church in Depok, West Java was revoked.

There must be something wrong with the procedures that made the mayor cancel the permit. There may be a problem with the expired building permit (IMB) obtained by the HKBP from Bogor government in June, 1998.

Please remain patient and wise! Don't try to use this issue to spark social conflict like what happened in Ambon in Maluku and Poso in Central Sulawesi. I believe that the Depok government tries to remain professional in carrying out its jobs.

I believe the decision was made after passing through a comprehensive discussion involving all elements in the municipality. There is no discrimination to Christians; adherents of all religions in Indonesia have absolute freedom to practice their teachings.

I recommend that the HKBP renews its application to build the church, using a new procedure.

Diana Murtianingsih

Yogyakarta

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