TEMPO.CO, Bekasi - The protest against the Santa Clara Church construction launched by the Bekasi Muslim Society on Friday, March 24, 2017, in Bekasi turned into a riot. Protesters representative Imran Nasution said that the protest was launched since the church construction was illegal.
"For example, there is an indication of forged signatures to show supports [for the church construction]," Imran said on Friday, March 24, 2017, in Bekasi, West Java.
Despite such irregularities, Imran added, the Bekasi administration issued a permit for the church construction. The move sparked protests several times.
"However the government refused the revoke the permit," Imran said.
Back in August 2015, a protest was launched in front of the Bekasi Mayor Office at Jalan Ahmad Yani. Protesters even blocked the road. As a result, traffic jams could not be avoided. The protest also turned into a chaos. Police decided to disperse masses by using tear gasses for attempting to breach into the church construction site.
ADI WARSONO
