A long-standing dispute over the construction of an Indonesian Pentecostal Church (GPI) in Tanjung Senang Village, Bandar Lampung, Indonesia, has once again reached an impasse, with fresh objections emerging nearly two decades after the project first began.
The conflict, which dates back to 2004, has resurfaced after a letter of rejection from local residents was submitted to the church construction committee, allegedly involving a local official. The letter, reportedly signed by 91 residents on 3 November 2025, was only passed on by the village office to the committee on 27 March 2026, prompting questions over the delay.
Reports have also circulated alleging that a local official, identified as “AA”, may have been involved in collecting signatures for the objection. These claims have added further sensitivity to a situation that has already seen repeated tensions within the community over many years.
Plans to build the church began in 2004 with initial backing from 44 residents and support from local community leaders. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in June that year, attended by representatives from different faith groups, marking what was then seen as a hopeful moment for interfaith cooperation.
However, in November 2004, the partially constructed building was vandalised and set on fire. Although the incident was reported to authorities, no suspects were ever identified.
Following the introduction of Indonesia’s 2006 Joint Ministerial Regulation on places of worship, the committee restarted the permitting process. At that time, it said it had gathered support from 66 residents, but progress stalled after local neighbourhood and village officials declined to sign approval documents.
Further rejection was reported in 2014, when some residents staged protests and blocked access to the building site. Mediation led by sub-district authorities resulted in a temporary arrangement, with the congregation relocating worship activities to another venue.
In 2025, the committee again renewed its application, stating that it had met the required conditions for community support. However, the renewed objection letter submitted in 2026 has once again halted progress and sparked renewed debate.
Local authorities are now reportedly verifying the documentation and community support data. Officials say that if all legal requirements are confirmed to have been met, there would be no lawful grounds to block the construction of the place of worship.
The situation has drawn wider public attention, with hopes that a fair resolution can be reached that upholds both legal processes and continued interfaith harmony in the region.
Based on reporting from ICC. Rewritten for this publication.
