Erika Anindita, Jakarta – Bogor mayor Bima Arya has been criticized for trying to relocate a planned Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) Yasmin in an attempt to end a long dispute between the GKI congregation and local residents opposing the church's construction.

Indonesian Communion of Churches executive secretary for justice and peace Henrek Lokra said that Bima's wish to move the church from its planned site near Taman Yasmin housing complex would spark internal relations problems within the church.

"This is improper of Bima Arya, as mayor of Bogor. As a leader, his policy should not cause damage to the Yasmin Church's internal relations," Henrek told a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday.

According to Henrek, to end the dispute that has gone on for years, the central government, through the Home Affairs Ministry, needs to take over the case.

Yasmin Church spokesman Bona Sigalingging said that the church management was informed by Bogor administration in late October that the church would be relocated to Jl. Dr Sumeru or one of two other alternative sites in Bubulak and Kayu Manis.

Bona said that the church rejected the plan because it was very similar to a 2011 proposal from the Bogor administration that they had already rejected.

The Bogor administration sealed the building in April 2010. In December of that year, the Supreme Court delivered a verdict restoring the church's construction permit (IMB). Bogor mayor Diani Budiarto, however, defied the ruling, revoking the IMB once more in March 2011.

"The [central] government should not reject the Supreme Court's ruling," Bona said, adding that his church congregation would continue to pray outside the State Palace, as they have been doing for years. "We will do it until we can pray in our own church," he said.

Meanwhile, Bonar Tigor Naipospos of the Setara Institute said that one idea was to construct Bhineka (diversity) Building, which the Yasmin Church could use a floor of.

"The Bhineka Building is a win-win solution, because it would have several public spaces that could be useful for Bogor residents," Bonar Tigor Naipospos from Setara said.

The Bogor administration, under Bima Arya, has not responded to his idea. (bbn)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/11/11/bogor-mayor-criticized-relocating-yasmin-church.html