Police Secure 39,495 Churches Throughout Indonesia During The 2023 Christmas Celebration

The Christmas 2023 Security Post at the Cathedral Church, Central Jakarta (doc. Abdul Aziz Masindo/VOI).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian National Police have deployed its members to secure all churches in Indonesia with a total church reaching 39,445.

"The National Police has held an operation, Operation Lilin Nataru 2023. For today, there are approximately 39,495 churches that we currently secure, which of course are throughout Indonesia," said National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo at the Cathedral Church, Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta.

The National Police Chief has also toured various churches in Jakarta including the Cathedral. The goal is to ensure and review the entire series of Christmas Mass security measures that run safely.

Apart from the Police, the Police are also working with the TNI and several mass organizations (community organizations), such as NU, Banser, Muhammadiyah, and other religious organizations.

"This shows that religious tolerance in Indonesia is extraordinary and it is proven regardless of religion and ethnicity. All of them participate in worship security activities," said Listyo Sigit.

Based on VOI's monitoring, Listyo Sigit came to the Cathedral Church with the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK), Muhadjir Effendy, the Chief of General Staff (Kasum) TNI, Lt. Gen. Bambang Ismawan, Metro Jaya Police Chief Inspector General Karyoto, and other ranks at 16:37 WIB.

Previously, the National Police Chief and his staff first visited the Reformed Millennium Center Church in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, at around 15:30 WIB.