The Jakarta Globe, October 19, 2013.
City officials threw their support behind an embattled East Jakarta church as hard-line Islamists rallied against the house of worship in Cipayung, lobbing accusations that the building’s renovation project lacked city permits.
An unknown group of hard-liners began to hang banners outside GPIB Pelita last Sunday in protest of the ongoing renovation of ageing sections of the building, Rev. A.H. Lowing said. The project is expected to wrap up this week.
“This is only renovating the broken parts, the structure of the building is not changing,” Lowing said. “It will remain the same as it was when it was built in 1981. But then there was this protest and one of them came here. We explained to him that it is not the construction of a new building, only a renovation.”
Cipayung subdistrict chief Iin Mutmainah dispatched local police to the site in anticipation of an announced rally by the city’s hard-line groups. The protest never materialized, but local police and officials will continue to secure the church as the renovation work concludes.
“Hopefully there won’t be any anarchy,” Iin said. “The Lubang Buaya urban ward chief and the neighborhood unit chief have guaranteed the church’s security. But if people want to hang banners and make a statement [in protest], that’s their right as a citizen.”
GPIB Pelita officials informed the local government of the planned work. Renovation projects like this do not require a building permit from the city, Iin said.
“The renovation committee had also informed us that this is only a renovation, not the construction of a new building, which would have required certain documents, such as a building permit (IMB) and other documents,” she said. “This is not a new construction, it is just a renovation.”
East Jakarta Mayor H.R. Krisdianto urged parties opposed to the church to submit their complaint through official channels. The unknown people behind the protest likely come from outside the community, the mayor said.
“The point is, it should be discussed in a persuasive way to prevent friction,” Krisdianto said. “I think the rejection is not from local residents, but someone from outside.”
Cipayung Police chief Comr. Ua Triyanto said the hard-liners needed to apply for a protest permit before holding a demonstration.
“If there is a rejection [of the church], please follow the procedures,” Ua said. “Please coordinate with local government officials so [the protest] will be conducted according to regulations.”
Police will patrol the site throughout the coming week, Ua said.
“There was a rumor of a planned demonstration, but it hasn’t proven to be true,” Ua said. “But [still] we will secure the church for some days ahead.”
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za 19 okt 2013 - 20:19