Kompas.com , June 19, 2026,
Anis Fauziyah, Irfan Maullana Editorial Team
View Photos Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi during the 2026 Regional Budget Evaluation Meeting and Preparation for the 2026 Revised Regional Budget at the Central Java Governor’s Office on Monday, June 8, 2026. (jatengprov.go.id) SEMARANG, KOMPAS.com –
Responding to the heated polemic regarding the action of rejecting the construction of a church in Banyuanyar Village, Banjarsari District, Solo City, the Governor of Central Java, Ahmad Luthfi, took the lead and ensured that the climate of tolerance between religious communities in 35 districts/cities throughout Central Java remains safely maintained.
“Tolerance in Central Java is still good,” said Luthfi when asked for his response by journalists after attending the inauguration of the 2026 Economic Census officers at Simpang Lima Field, Semarang, Thursday (June 18, 2026).
Luthfi admitted that he was moving quickly and would soon collaborate with the Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB) at the provincial and regional levels to respond to the dynamics of rejection of houses of worship, while also guaranteeing the fulfillment of rights for all religious adherents without exception.
“If there is rejection, we will prioritize the FKUB,” he added, emphasizing the institution’s mediation function. Also read: Church Construction in Solo Rejected by Residents, GKJ Committed to Fulfilling All Permits The former Central Java Police Chief also asked the Solo City Government (Pemkot) to intervene in the field to persuasively resolve the dispute in Banjarsari. This includes encouraging a transparent clarification process to prevent further misunderstandings between community groups.
Responding to Demonstrators’ Demands, Vice President Gibran Promises Improvements in the Governance of the MBG and KDMP Kompas.id article “Then, we have also ordered the Public Welfare (Kesra) Department to carry out clarification,” he said, explaining the official instructions that had been issued. Interfaith Activists Highlight the Disbandment of Ahmadiyah in Karanganyar and Banners
Rejecting the GKJ Solo Separately, the Central Java Interfaith or Belief Figures and Activists Network has launched sharp criticism by highlighting a series of events involving the forced disbandment of the Ijtima’ Khuddam Ahmadiyah activities in Tawangmangu, Karanganyar Regency, as well as the recent rejection of the construction of the Javanese Christian Church (GKJ) in Solo City.
These two consecutive incidents are considered a hard slap in the face and clear evidence that structural intolerance practices are still rife in Central Java. The Coordinator of the Interfaith Brotherhood (Pelita), Setyawan, specifically highlighted the slaughter of plans to build a GKJ place of worship in Banyuanyar, Solo. Also read: National Commission on Violence Against Women Pushes for Protection of Ahmadiyah Women and Children in Mataram Transit
In fact, according to the data he collected, the process of obtaining the church’s building permit had been running very orderly and legally since 2023, with all requirements having been met, including the completeness of official documents from the National Land Agency (BPN). “While the process was still ongoing, in early June 2026, banners and letters of rejection began circulating in the name of the Banyuanyar Muslim Community, which insinuated that the government should cancel the construction of the church,” said the man familiarly known as Wawan when confirmed by Kompas.com, Thursday (18/6/2026).
Pelita expressed deep concern that there are still serious challenges in fulfilling basic rights related to freedom of religion and belief in this province with the stupa symbol. “This is a sign that intolerant practices remain a serious challenge in Central Java on the one hand, and the state’s inability to protect freedom of religion and belief as a constitutional right for all citizens on the other,” Wawan continued, criticizing the role of the local government.
Also read: Feeling pressured, Ahmadiyah congregation cancels Jalsa Salana in Kuningan
The State is Reminded Not to Bow to Group Pressure Wawan assessed that there were similarities in patterns or repetition of identical movements in the two cases of violations of religious rights in Solo and Karanganyar, namely the existence of certain community groups who suddenly felt they had the legal authority to prohibit the religious expressions and rituals of other groups who had different interpretations.
“It seems like we’re allowing similar incidents to continue to recur. Indonesia is a democratic nation governed by the rule of law. Our constitution expressly guarantees everyone’s freedom to embrace and worship according to their own religion,” he said, reminding us of the fundamental essence of the state. He then quoted in detail the highest legal basis of the country in the form of Article 28E and Article 29 paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution, Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights, and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which has actually been officially ratified by the Indonesian parliament through Law Number 12 of 2005.
According to Wawan, the guarantee of freedom of religion and the practice of worship is a constitutional right of citizens which must be absolutely protected by law enforcement officials and the bureaucracy, without being dependent on the condition of approval or blessing from the majority group in a region. Therefore, this alliance of interfaith activists urges a real commitment from regional government officials, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), the management of the Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB), and law enforcement officers of the police to not be lax and immediately guarantee the protection of the right to freedom of religion and belief for all citizens without any discrimination whatsoever in the field. KOMPAS.com is committed to providing clear, reliable, and balanced facts. Support the sustainability of clear journalism and enjoy ad-free reading through Membership. Join KOMPAS.com Plus now.
Categories: Ahmadis, Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, Asia, Indonesia, Intolerance, Intra-Religious Tolerance, Tolerance