Natalius Pigai Intervenes In The House Of Prayer Destruction Case In Padang, Calls For Anti-Intolerance Law

Minister of Human Rights (HAM) Natalius Pigai ordered the Regional Office of the Ministry of Human Rights of West Sumatra to immediately review the location of the alleged destruction of Christian prayer houses in Padang City.

The order was given following the incident of destroying a prayer house belonging to the Christian Church of Setia Indonesia (GKSI) Anugerah Padang which occurred in the Padang Sarai area, Koto Tangah District, Sunday, July 27.

"I have ordered the West Sumatra Ministry of Human Rights Regional Office to go down to the scene and make a report. Today it will be reported to me," said Natalius Pigai when confirmed in Jakarta, Antara, Tuesday, July 29.

He emphasized that the perpetrators of vandalism and persecution must be legally processed according to applicable regulations. "All forms of discrimination and intolerance must be removed from Indonesian land where people live from various ethnicities and religions," he said.

Natalius also revealed that the Ministry of Human Rights is encouraging the presence of laws to ensure freedom of worship and carry out trust for all citizens.

"This situation of intolerance makes us at the Ministry of Human Rights take the initiative to encourage the birth of a law that accommodates all the nation's children to be free to worship in the Pancasila country," he said.

Meanwhile, West Sumatra Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Solihin said that the police had arrested nine people related to the vandalism case. That number, he said, could still increase along with the development of the investigation.

"Believe me, the police will follow up on this case. No one should take justice into their own hands in West Sumatra," he said, Monday.