Hans David Tampubolon, Jakarta – The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) says that it has retracted its political support for Bogor Mayor Diani Budiarto because he has persistently defied a court ruling to reopen the GKI Taman Yasmin church in the city.

Diani, who was supported by the PDI-P during the last Bogor election, also ignored the Indonesian Ombudsman's recommendation to allow the GKI Yasmin church to open.

"We have decided to not give our political support anymore because the Bogor mayor refuses to comply with the Supreme Court's order and the recommendations from the Indonesian Ombudsman," PDI-P Bogor chapter chairman Maruarar Sirait told The Jakarta Post by phone on Thursday.

GKI Yasmin has reportedly fulfilled all of the legalities required to establish a house of worship, including securing land and building permits. However, Diani then decided to close the church by issuing a decree on March 11.

The Bandung administrative court later overturned Diani's decision and told the mayor to reopen the church.

However, Diani stood by his argument based on allegations that the church congregation had forged some of the signatures for a required petition to secure the building permit. The Ombudsman has declared the Bogor mayor's claim baseless.

Another PDI-P member, Budiman Sudjatmiko, said that his party could move forward to launch a political move against Diani if he was found to have violated the law. "A possible impeachment has not been decided on yet," he said.

GKI Yasmin spokesman Bona Sigalingging said that the PDI-P should follow up its decision to pull its support toward for Diani with concrete political actions.

"The party's top leaders must stand together and clearly announce that the resolution on this case is important to guard Indonesia's plurality," he said.

"The next move would be for the party to launch a political move using its faction in the legislative to discipline the Bogor mayor. This is important to ensure the mayor complies with the recommendations made by Ombudsman," he added.

Separately, human rights watchdog Setara Institute said that it applauded the move made by PDI-P.

"This is an attitude that must become an example for other political parties. This is a progressive move," Setara Institute director Hendardi said.

"Now, all we need is concrete action from the party. The party must start taking a political initiative to impeach the mayor using its faction at the Bogor legislative council," he said.