Bagus BT Saragih, Jakarta – Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali has denied allegations that the government is was not taking the GKI Yasmin Church issue seriously after a joint meeting on the issue was canceled yet again on Wednesday.

"If a meeting on the issue is cancelled, you cannot say that the government lacks good intention to resolve the issue," Suryadharma told reporters at the presidential office prior to a Cabinet meeting. "Today's meeting [with the House of Representatives] was adjourned because some relevant ministers had to attend a Cabinet meeting."

A joint meeting on GKI Yasmin was initially scheduled to be held at the House on Wednesday at 1 p.m., at the request of the government.

Lawmakers and several ministers, as well as National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo, National Ombudsman's Office commissioners, West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, Bogor Mayor Diani Budiarto and GKI Yasmin executives were due to attend the GKI Yasmin meeting. It was the third time the government has canceled meetings on GKI Yasmin.

Suryadharma assured that the government would stay focused on the issue despite the meeting cancellations, while expecting compromise from the GKI Yasmin side.

"The Bogor mayor and other state senior officials continue to hold dialogues. Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi has also proposed some solutions," he said. "The main concern to resolve this issue is compromise. If the GKI Yasmin side refuses to compromise, then let's just leave it to the legal process," Suryadharma added. (mtq)