On July 7, dozens of protesters gathered in Paccerakkang, Makassar, to oppose the construction of a Toraja Christian Church. Despite the demonstration, local authorities confirm the project met all legal requirements and received an official recommendation from the Forum for Religious Harmony (FKUB) on April 14.
Protest and Allegations in Biringkanaya District
The demonstration took place at the village head office in the Biringkanaya District of Makassar, South Sulawesi. Protesters, claiming to be local residents, carried a banner voicing their opposition and demanded the cancellation of the church project on Lorong VI Street. The group alleged that the church failed to fulfill legal requirements, accused the organizers of manipulating documents, and claimed the land was merely a residential house.
Some protesters further alleged that the congregation bypassed neighbors during the permit process. One anonymous resident claimed that the church paid local Muslims between Rp 100,000 and Rp 500,000—approximately $6.50 and 33—to secure support for the project. We reject it because they are outsiders wanting to build a church in our area. That’s why people are angry. This is not arbitrary rejection; why build a church without consent, unilaterally like that?
the resident stated.
Official Verification of Legal Compliance
Local authorities and the Forum for Religious Harmony (FKUB) maintain that the church project followed all necessary legal procedures. According to Morningstarnews, the church committee applied for a recommendation in January, leading to a field verification and a public meeting in February.
FKUB Makassar Chairman Arifuddin Ahmad noted that the committee conducted a month of outreach regarding the construction plans. By the time the deadline for objections passed, no written letters of protest had been submitted to the FKUB office. To ensure transparency and prevent data manipulation, the organization required that any formal objections include signatures and wet stamps or barcodes.
Church Leadership Response to Opposition
Makis Wata, head of the church construction committee, expressed frustration regarding the sudden opposition, noting that the congregation had already engaged in various stakeholder meetings. I’m confused by the community’s disposition. We followed all legal procedures. The authorities have already approved it,
Wata told Morningstarnews.
Yohanis Metris, Chairman of the Fellowship of Churches in Indonesia for South and Southeast Sulawesi, also voiced disbelief at the protest, emphasizing that the church had secured an official recommendation. The land in question had a history of communal use; according to protesters, the site had previously served as a chicken coop before transitioning into a meeting place, like a hall, used for worship.
Broader Context of Religious Tensions in Indonesia
The situation in Makassar highlights ongoing challenges regarding the construction of houses of worship in Indonesia. While the church committee encountered two previous acts of opposition since beginning the documentation process in 2022, local officials have signaled an intent to continue mediation. Morningstarnews reported that FKUB leadership remains committed to socialization efforts to reach a resolution.
Religious tensions in the nation are often multifaceted. While some groups demonstrate against local infrastructure, others organize around international human rights issues. For instance, apnews.com reported that more than a thousand Muslims recently marched to the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta to protest the treatment of Uighur Muslims in China. That event, organized by Yusuf Martak, involved a leader who had previously mobilized mass protests in 2016 against Jakarta’s ethnic Chinese governor, a minority Christian.
For the Lanraki Congregation in Paccerakkang, the path forward rests on the validity of their government-issued permits. With official recommendations already in hand, the conflict now centers on whether the local government will enforce the existing construction rights or bow to the pressure of the protesters who claim the church is an unwanted development in their neighborhood.
