Bandung – The West Java Pentecost Church Association has accused the Bandung and Sumedang administrations of failing to empower local Christians in conducting religious activities in the wake of the recent forced closure of worshipping houses.

Association chairman Chris Hutabarat said that the forced closures of seven worshipping houses in Rancaekek Kencana housing complex in Bandung and one in Jatinangor, Sumedang, during the 2010-2011 period was blatant proof of the government's inability to protect its citizens' worshipping rights.

"The option to move worshipping activities to the IPDN campus is not a good solution. It is costly to get there and not all congregation members can afford the transport because many of them are factory workers," Chris said in Bandung on Thursday.

The most recent incident of religious intolerance took place in Rancaekek in July when a congregation of some 300 Christians was dispersed by dozens of people, most of whom were later reported to be members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI).