Revised Joint Ministerial Decrees on Construction of Houses of Worship

The decree is a revision of a joint decree issued in 1969 by the Indonesian Home Affairs Minister and Religious Affairs Minister and which covers building houses of prayer. In 1967–1969, churches were attacked, sometimes destroyed, on Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Java. These violent episodes appeared to have been triggered by construction of buildings for religious minorities. In response, on 13 September 1969, the Ministers of Religion and Home Affairs issued Joint Ministerial Decree 1/1969 to control construction of places of worship and to govern religious practices in general. == Requirements ==

According to Article 14 of the 2006 decree, a permit for constructing a house of worship should issue when the applicant obtains: • a list of 90 members of the proto-congregation; • signatures from 60 local households of a different faith; • a written recommendation from the regency or municipal religious affairs office; • a written recommendation from the local interfaith harmony forum (FKUB); and • approval from the subdistrict head. Article 14 requires local governments to find an alternative or temporary venue for services if the group cannot meet one of the requirements. Article 21 requires that local governments fairly mediate disputes. == Concerns ==

While the government of Indonesia asserted that the purpose of the 2006 decree was to reduce inter-faith conflict, many persons and organizations assert that the decree is unconstitutional, is contrary to treaties ratified by Indonesia, and has increased inter-faith conflict and the ability of a region's majority faith to suppress other faiths. Others note that the decree's requirements create opportunities for corruption. Specific concerns raised regarding the 2006 decree include: • Aggressive religious organizations apply pressure on and pay locals to not sign or rescind signatures of petitions. • The FKUB is not an elected body and is dominated by the local majority religion. Where such majority practitioners are intolerant of other religions, the FKUB effectively vetoes construction of minority religious buildings. • Aggressive religious organizations apply pressure on regional entities to not provide recommendations or approve permits for which applicants have otherwise qualified. == See also ==