PGI Joins Condemnation of BNPT's Intent to Monitor Houses of Worship, Called a Form of Frustration Overcoming Radicalism

Photo by Akira Hojo on Unsplash

JAKARTA - The proposal by the Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), Rycko Amelza Dahniel, that plans for all places of worship to be under government control, is a step backwards from the democratization process that we are fighting for together after the 1998 reform.

That was the response of the Chairman of PGI Pdt. Gomar Gultom, regarding the proposal by the Head of BNPT Rycko Dahniel which was conveyed when responding to a statement by member of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the PDIP Party faction Safaruddin in a joint meeting with Commission III of the DPR, Monday, September 4.

"We have agreed that democracy will be a system or vehicle for us as a nation to achieve a just and prosperous society. In an increasingly democratic society, the state must trust its people to be able to regulate itself, including in terms of managing houses of worship," said Rev. Gomar Gultom.

According to him, Rycko's thoughts are that he wants to oversee every worship agenda and religious leaders who deliver da'wah or sermons, a form of government frustration that is unable to overcome the problem of radicalism. This kind of thing is a backflow from the ideals of reform and will lead us to the atmosphere of etatism during the New Order era.

Further explained Pdt. Gomar Gultom, the problem we are facing now is the government's lack of firmness in dealing with hate speech that encourages a culture of violence in society. Even intolerant behavior that is accompanied by acts of violence, especially in the name of religion, often escapes legal action by the state.

"Civilization that promotes those who speak loudly, or promotes hatred and violence, this is what needs our collective attention, to be stopped immediately," he stressed.

Therefore, rather than implementing the BNPT Head's proposal, he is asking for seriousness and firm action from the government regarding hate speech, intolerant acts and acts of violence, in accordance with applicable law. In addition, another thing that is urgently carried out jointly by all elements of the nation is the cultivation of love for peace and love for humanity.

"It is a collective task to educate the community to be ready to accept those who are different, and accommodate them in building a life together, including accommodating the need for places of worship, by people of all religions," he said.

On the other hand, continued the PGI Chairman, the government also needs to be more sensitive to listening to public criticism, including from religious figures or preachers, and not be quick to judge them as part of radicalism.