A dispute has emerged within the Indonesian government regarding proposed changes to the church building permit process, announced earlier this month by Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
The changes, aimed at easing restrictions for churches and other minority religious groups, have sparked a clash between government officials, according to a report by International Christian Concerns.
Minister Yaqut said that under the new policy, churches would need to apply for building permits solely through the Ministry of Religion, eliminating the prior requirement to secure a recommendation from the Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB).
He criticized the FKUB’s role, suggesting that it has obstructed many churches from obtaining necessary approvals.
Despite support from the coordinating minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs and the minister of Home Affairs, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin has voiced opposition.
He argues that the FKUB’s recommendation remains vital for maintaining interfaith harmony across the diverse religious landscape of Indonesia.
The SETARA Institute for Democracy and Peace, an advocacy group for democracy and human rights, has welcomed the elimination of the FKUB recommendation requirement.
The Institute views this move as a progressive step towards enhancing democracy and upholding the constitutional rights of Indonesians to practice their religion freely.
According to SETARA, the existing requirements — which demand support from both 90 congregation members and 60 nonmembers — severely limit religious freedom for minority groups.
The SETARA Institute suggests that rather than acting as a gatekeeper for building permits, the FKUB should focus on fostering interfaith dialogue, educating the public about tolerance, and addressing conflicts that arise from the establishment of new places of worship.
This redefined role could help mitigate the increasing disturbances at places of worship, which have risen from 50 cases in 2022 to 65 in 2023, as reported by the Institute.
