Local officials in Indonesia’s East Borneo province have refused to approve the construction of a church despite the congregation’s decade-long effort to meet all legal requirements, according to human rights advocates.
The Samarinda Ministry of Religious Affairs Office declined to issue a recommendation letter for the Toraja Christian Church in Sungai Keledang, Samarinda Seberang Sub-District, even after the congregation secured necessary documents, community endorsements, and approval from the local Interfaith Forum (FKUB), Morning Star News reported.
“What other reason does the Ministry of Religious Affairs office have for refusing to provide a letter of recommendation? Sounds cowardly, doesn’t it? This injustice should not be tolerated,” said the Indonesian Movement for All (Pergerakan Indonesia untuk Semua, PIS) in a statement.
The congregation submitted identification documents from 90 people and secured the support of local residents and village heads. The FKUB recommendation, required for construction, was issued in September 2024.
Hendra Kusuma of the East Kalimantan Alliance for Advocacy for Freedom of Religion and Belief criticized the government for deferring to intolerant groups.
“They are more afraid of a handful of people who reject the church’s existence, even though the state guarantees freedom of religion and worship,” he told kaltimtoday.com.
Elizabeth, a church member, said, “We just want to build a church for worship. Our rights should still be given according to the law,” she told viva.co.id.
An official named Rahmi at the Religious Affairs Office said they were avoiding potential tensions during Ramadan. “It is feared that it can trigger unwanted things, but it doesn’t mean we don’t want to issue it,” she said, according to kaltimviva.co.id.
The rejection has prompted legal and constitutional concerns. “It is against Article 29 of the 1945 Constitution that says the state guarantees the freedom of each resident to embrace their respective religions and to worship according to their religion and beliefs,” said Jakarta-based attorney Peter Selestinus.
Christian advocacy groups, including Open Doors, have warned that Christian minorities, especially those involved in evangelistic outreach, face increasing pressure in the Muslim-majority nation.
