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Proposed government control over places of worship draws criticism

Indonesia's Counterterrorism Agency head said the proposed mechanism was drawn from the observation of several countries where governments controlled who could work at houses of worship.

Nina A. Loasana

Nina A. Loasana

The Jakarta Post

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Worshippers take part in a congregational prayer on July 31, 2020 at Babah Alun Mosque in Cilandak, South Jakarta, to mark Idul Adha (Day of Sacrifice). PHOTO: THE JAKARTA POST

September 8, 2023

JAKARTA – Religious organizations and civil groups have criticized a proposal from the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) on the government directly controlling and monitoring places of worship in its fight against extremist ideologies, fearing this could restrict religious freedom in the country.

BNPT head Comr. Gen. Rycko Amelza Dahniel presented the proposal on Monday in a meeting with House of Representatives Commission III overseeing legal affairs. He suggested that the government needed a new mechanism to control and monitor places of worship to curb the spread of extremist ideologies.

Rycko said the proposed mechanism was drawn from the BNPT’s observation of several countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Oman and Saudi Arabia, where governments controlled who could work at houses of worship, especially religious leaders and teachers.

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