Worship in Bandung Ended After Pressure from Groups of People

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bandung Police spokesman Comr. Reny Marthaliana has issued statements on security measures at a Christian service dubbed Kegiatan Kebangunan Rohani (KKR). The event, having been rejected by some groups of people, was stopped at 8:30 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2016.

“The KKR had been rejected by Pembela Ahlu Sunnah (PAS) and Dewan Dakwah Islam (DDI),” Reni said in a written statement received by Tempo yesterday.

Reny has given the timeline of the KKR disbandment. He said that the groups comprised of 75 people. They arrived at the venue in Sabuga, Bandung, at 1 pm. They gave speeches on the entry of Sabuga. The situation was under control at that point.

One hour from then, the organizing committee met with the groups, telling them that the event would end at 3 pm. At 3:30, the congregation for school children in the first session of the event that started at 11 am had ended.

At that point, the groups demanded to enter the building and the organizing committee agreed to conclude the event in 30 minutes.

The groups came again at 5 am and agree to disperse. However, their representatives wanted to get explanation from Rev. Stephen Tong, who was about to perform a preaching. While awaiting Rev. Stephen Tong’s arrival, a hymn of praise was heard from inside of the Sabuga building.

Upon hearing the hymn of praise, the group representatives demanded the event to be stopped. At 6:30, a meeting was held between Muslim group representatives, Bandung Police chief, the Military District commander, the organizing committee and the reverend.

At around 8 pm they agreed that the reverend will explain the situation to the congregation and he was given 10 minutes to do so. However, it took 15 minutes for the reverend to conclude the event since they also performed prayers and sang a hymn of praise.

The Muslim groups demanded the event to be stopped, Bandung Police Precinct chief took control and stopped the event. The event was ended at 8:30 pm. Both the congregation and the Muslim groups dispersed.

Reny explained that police did not take firm action because they respect the agreement made by the organizing committee, the groups and local outhorities. “We tried to mediate [between them], to get the best solution and avoid harming the parties involved,” he said.

DIKO OKTARA | M. IQBAL