Yuli Tri Suwarni, Bandung – Members of the Pasundan Protestant Church (FKP) on Monday urged the local administration to issue a permit entitling them to use a private home for church activities, following protests from the Saviour and Advocation Alliance Movement (AGAP) and Anti-Apostasy Front (BAP).

FKP spokesman Ratno Gunawan Simamora said around 200 church members would continue holding weekly religious services at the church, located in Sukabirus village, Citeureup, Dayeuhkolot, Bandung regency, despite a meeting Monday between AGAP, BAP and the Bandung regency chapter of the Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB), facilitated by the local religious office, that concluded they first needed a permit issued by the Bandung regent.

"We have arranged for a permit up to the district level, but have not received a reasonable reply so far. We have inquired about it, but were asked to wait, and then the district administration asked us to stop operating. I don't know why," said Ratno, the husband of Rev. Obertina, leader of the church.

Obtaining a permit for a house of worship, said Ratno, has been the dream of 77 Christian families in the FKP since 1995. They had previously used a house for services in the Kujang Battalion 330 military complex.

When they moved to the house in Sukabirus, they were confronted by local residents who were against their activities.

Local residents confronted the FKP twice in the last three weeks – on Nov. 18 and Dec. 2 – leading to the Monday decision by the FKUB to maintain the status quo of the house to prevent attacks. "We have handed over the issue to the regent, whether it be closed or resolved in court," said Maladi of the FKUB.

Dayeuhkolot district chief Tata Irawan said his office had not issued a permit because a majority of the residents were Muslims and none of them were willing to support the church's presence.

"We have requested its closure several times to prevent a clash. We don't forbid them from carrying out their rituals, but please settle permit procedures," said Tata.

Ratno said the most difficult task was getting approval from local residents because there were only three Christian families living in the area. He said FKP members would ignore the FKUB decision despite the presence of a Christian representative.

"Maladi is just a representative of a congregation, and not a church institution. We were not invited to the meeting. We will continue performing our religious services here because it is our right and the government should protect us," said Ratno.

Ratno said most of the churches in Bandung did not hold licenses, and only major churches were certified because they had been established for a long time.