Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Jakarta – Indonesia's recently appointed religious affairs minister said on Friday that he would start a dialogue with the hard-line group that rejects GKI Yasmin, an embattled church in Bogor that has been shut down years ago by the government.
Albert Hasibuan, a senior presidential adviser on legal and human rights issues, told the Jakarta Globe on Friday that the move by Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin had a real chance of succeeding.
"Concerning GKI Yasmin, the minister said that it should be reopened because there has been ruling by the Supreme Court and a recommendation from the Ombudsman [to that effect]," Albert said. "But because there is a group that opposes the [reopening of the ] church, the minister will soon meet and discuss the matter with them."
The half-built GKI Yasmin was sealed by the Bogor government in 2010, shortly after its building permit was revoked. Although the Supreme Court issued a ruling ordering the government to reopen the church, this was ignored. Until now, members of the congregation have to worship in their homes, although they sometimes do it front of the State Palace.
"The court decision is good, but needs to be communicated with the others [the groups that oppose it]," Lukman said, as quoted by news portal Kompas.com.
Suryadharma Ali, the previous religious affairs minister, also several times discussed the matter with the presidential advisory board of which Albert is a member, and other stakeholders, but to no avail.
Bona Sigalingging, a spokesman for the church, told the Globe that he appreciated Lukman's initiative. "We met him three days ago, and he said that the state should not bow to the intolerant groups," Bona said on Friday.
"I think Lukman's plan for GKI Yasmin is right, but it will take some time for the ruling of the Supreme Court and the recommendations of the Ombudsman to really be implemented."
Bona said that the church has long been disappointed by the many public officials who have turned a blind eye to the congregation's problems.
"It's good signal that Lukman wants to work hard for this case. Whoever the new religious affairs minister will be in the new government [under Joko Widodo, set to be inaugurated as president on Oct. 20], hopefully the person will have the same perspective and courage."