Yogyakarta Police Investigate Alleged Disruption of Church Service in Bantul

Yogyakarta police are actively investigating an alleged incident of religious intolerance in Bantul, where a church service was reportedly disrupted. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, involved the alleged disbandment of a worship service for the Gereja Misi Sejahtera (GMS) congregation in Glugo, Panggungharjo, Sewon.

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The case is still in the investigation stage, the team is collecting evidence and statements from witnesses and deepening the chronology of the event as a whole to clarify the incident.

The Regional Police (Polda DIY) confirmed that the case is officially being handled, with a police report filed on May 25. Investigators are currently gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to clarify the events. "The case is still in the investigation stage, the team is collecting evidence and statements from witnesses and deepening the chronology of the event as a whole to clarify the incident," said Kombes Pol Ihsan, Head of Public Relations for Polda DIY.

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We urge all people to remain calm, not to be provoked by divisive narratives on social media, and to entrust the resolution of this problem to law enforcement and the local government.

Ihsan assured the public that the investigation would proceed professionally and transparently. He urged residents to remain calm and trust the authorities to handle the matter. "We urge all people to remain calm, not to be provoked by divisive narratives on social media, and to entrust the resolution of this problem to law enforcement and the local government," he stated.

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Actions of persecution, intimidation of people who are worshiping, this is not permissible, it cannot be justified either from the perspective of religion or the constitution.

Bantul Regent Abdul Halim Muslih condemned the alleged disruption as a form of persecution violating the constitution and religious teachings. He cited Article 29, Paragraph 2 of the 1945 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion. However, Muslih distinguished between the right to worship and building regulations, noting that places of worship must comply with existing rules. An agreement was reached for the GMS congregation in Glugo to temporarily cease using the building for worship while the matter is resolved through official channels.

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Those who do it (persecution) can be punished in the name of the law, in the name of the constitution.