TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The emergence of a plan to build the "silaturahmi tunnel" connecting Jakarta’s Istiqlal mosque and the Cathedral church attracted criticism from the Deputy of Setara Institute, Bonar Tigor Naipospos.

He argues there is no urgency upon building the Istiqlal - Cathedral tunnel as it will not solve real-world issues regarding intolerance looming over the country.

“Indonesia is amidst an intolerance crisis. Maintaining pluralism and overcoming intolerance demands real action and not physical symbols such as the tunnel plans,” said Bonar to Tempo on Sunday, February 9.

The deputy of the human rights advocacy group argues that people yearn for the government’s tangible actions to help solve cases of intolerance marring the country. He cited one case of intolerance where the construction of a Catholic church in Karimun, Riau, has been met by rejection from a group claiming to be the Muslim Community Forum.

“Even though the church had been established since 1928 before Indonesia [achieved independence]. Or another case in the rejection of a mosque in North Minahasa that was ruined by a group of people,” Bonar explained.

He further argues that the government shares some of the blame in the high number of religious intolerance cases as Indonesia’s central and regional governments always see intolerance through a political set of glasses.

“Central government tends to view intolerance as a localized problem, minor friction and is not seen as issues with a pattern,” Bonar argues.

Plans to build the Istiqlal - Cathedral tunnel was mentioned by President Jokowi as the “silaturahmi tunnel” during hi visit to one of ASEAN’s largest mosques on Friday, February 7.

EGI ADYATAMA