DPR Highlights Religious Intolerance Cases: Actions To Disband Worship Must Be Stopped

JAKARTA - Chairman of Commission XIII DPR RI Willy Aditya highlighted various incidents of intolerance that have occurred recently, such as in West Java. He also emphasized that worship according to belief is the right of citizens who are constitutionally guaranteed.

"Worship is the constitutional right of every citizen and must be protected by the state. There is no reason whatsoever to justify the disbandment of worship activities. Especially if the disbandment is accompanied by intimidation and persecution," said Willy Aditya, Wednesday, July 9.

Willy said that the right to freedom of worship has been strictly regulated in the 1945 Constitution Article 28E paragraphs 1 and 2 where it is stated that everyone is free to believe in belief, according to his conscience, embrace religion, as well as worship according to his religion.

Therefore, Willy hopes that all citizens will use the regulation as a guideline in the life of the nation and state. He said Indonesia is a state of law so that the forced disbandment of an worship cannot be justified.

"In our law, there is no room for group pressure to overcome state procedures. If this is allowed, then what is violated is not only the law, but also the principle of diversity itself," said Willy.

According to Willy, religious harmony will be realized if those who feel that minorities continue to feel safe carrying out worship even in an environment that they feel is different from them. He also emphasized that tolerance is not just rhetoric, but must be a value realized in the policies, rules, and behavior of state officials.

He also invited all Indonesian people to have a dialogue to find equalities to support each other.

"The harmony exists when all people take care of each other. Not limiting each other. If we really enjoy Pancasila, then synergy in differences is part of our identity as an Indonesian nation," concluded Willy.

As is known, some time ago the destruction of the house occurred in Cidahu, Sukabumi, West Java, because it became the location of a religious retreat. The vandalism incident whose video went viral shows a group of people lowering the cross while screaming.

A number of mobs also forcibly dispersed the retreat of Christian students in Cidahu District, Sukabumi Regency. The police have named 8 suspects in the case.

The suspects were charged with Article 170 of the Criminal Code regarding joint destruction. In addition, they are also threatened with Article 406 of the Criminal Code regarding the destruction of goods.

Other cases of intolerance recently also occurred in the Depok area, West Java. Residents of RT 2 and RT 5 RW 03 Kalibaru Village held an action against the construction of a church on Jalan Palatoran Eres, Cilodong District, Depok City. The video went viral on social media.

Residents claim that the refusal was carried out because from the start there had never been any socialization to local residents about the construction of the church.