Submitting The Case For The Prohibition Of Christmas Celebration In Dhamasraya To The Minister Of Religion

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD while serving questions from journalists at the Kemenkopolhukam Office (Wardhany Tsa Tsia / VOI)

JAKARTA - In recent days, information has circulated about the prohibition of Christmas celebrations in Jorong Kmpung Baru, Nagari Sikabau, Pulau Punjung District, Dhamasraya Regency. This ban went into effect on December 10.

As many as 19 families scattered in the sub-district are prohibited from carrying out Christmas services. They can conduct Christmas services in the Sawahlunto area, which is 135 kilometers away.

The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD explained that the case of prohibiting Christmas worship in Dhamasraya, West Sumatra, is being handled by the Minister of Religion Fachrul Razi.

"The minister of religion has handled it in the respective regions," Mahfud told reporters at the Kemenkopolhukam Office, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, Monday, December 23, adding that he did not want to comment more on the ban.

Mahfud added that the government has taken security measures to welcome the Christmas and New Year holidays. He hopes that the TNI and Polri have prepared all anticipations to secure this.

"We have cross-sectoral coordination meetings," said Mahfud.

Apart from security, Mahfud added, public facilities and infrastructure are also ready to welcome the arrival of the Christmas and New Year holidays. So, he hopes that people can enjoy Christmas and New Year comfortably.

"Everything has been prepared, hopefully the people can be comfortable canceling it and the new year," he said, adding that the public could report anything suspicious and made Christmas and New Year celebrations uncomfortable.

Last weekend, the Ombudsman representative of West Sumatra advised Dharmasraya Regent Sutan Riska to intervene by mediating so as not to cause further problems.

The head of the Ombudsman representative for West Sumatra Yefri Heriani said, based on the compiled chronology, the Dharmasraya Regency Government had invited the officials of the Catholic Stasi to have a discussion. The result of the deliberation stated that the board would make a statement that was videotaped or recorded, stating that the regional government had never banned Christmas worship and celebrations, but the management rejected it.

Because the Nagari Government continued to prohibit worship and Christmas celebrations at residents' homes, finally the Dharmasraya Regency government was willing to lend a bus or car that could be used so that they could worship anywhere, as long as it was not in Jorong Kampung Baru. However, the residents also rejected the offer.

Komnas HAM Representative of West Sumatra has also handled this problem, which as a result also asked the regent to conduct mediation and deliberation with various parties.

Separately, the Head of Public Relations of the Dharmasraya Regency Regional Secretariat, Budi Waluyo, said there was no prohibition on Christmas celebrations in Jorong Kampung Baru, Nagari Sikabau, Pulau Punjung District. He emphasized that the local government has officially never issued a ban on citizens to carry out worship in accordance with their respective religions and beliefs.

He said the local government appreciated the agreement between the Nagari Sikabau community leaders and Christians in Jorong Kampung Baru. The agreement is that there is no prohibition on performing worship according to the religion and belief of each in their respective homes. However, if you have to carry out worship in a congregational nature or bring in congregations from other places, it must be done in an official place of worship.