Source: www.morningstarnews.org
Date: October 5, 2026
Demanding halt to worship, agitator threatens bloodshed.
By Our Indonesia Correspondent
Muslim reportedly identified as Aji Cahyono Putra threatens violence at GDPI church in Mekarsari village, Banten Province, Indonesia, on Sept. 20, 2026. (Screenshot from Tribune Network, YouTube)
SURABAYA, Indonesia (Morning Star News) – Christians are pursuing prosecution of a machete-wielding Muslim who threatened bloodshed if a congregation on Java Island, Indonesia continued worshipping.
Following the disruption of the service on Sept. 20, the Muslim later apologized at a meeting to resolve the issue in Mekarsari village, Rajeg District, Tangerang Regency, Banten Province, but officials later closed the church site, and plaintiffs say the aggressor must still be held accountable under the law.
“If that case is not resolved legally, the perpetrators would consider themselves immune to the law because of their claim of representing the majority – its impact is huge; various intolerant groups will do the same,” Bonar Tigor Naipospos of the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace told Morning Star News. “Imagine, someone threatens to kill you, then apologizes with promises and crocodile tears due to mass pressure, then walks away freely.”
The true test of Indonesia’s commitment to religious freedom under its revised criminal code will lie in consistent and impartial enforcement – whether the world is watching or not, said Bonar, senior researcher and deputy chair at Setara.
Four Muslims disrupted the worship service of the Indonesian Protestant Christian Church (GKPI), with video showing one of them, later identified as 29-year-old Aji Cahyono Putra, 29, brandishing a machete and threatening Christians at the prayer house entrance when church leaders confronted him.
“Never again [worship here]. Do not repeat this,” Aji shouts at a congregant who met him at the door, the video shows. “I don’t care. Close it now and forever.”
With several young men accompanying him as dozens of witnesses look on, the video shows Aji telling church members, “With whom are you coordinating? Which neighborhood head coordinated this? I apologize,” he says sarcastically, “but rather than there being bloodshed with me today – I am not afraid to die – if you don’t close it, bloodshed will occur inside. Yes, I am not afraid to die...For Allah, I am not afraid to die.”
The disruption, which prompted the 40 congregants to leave immediately, included nearby voices heard on the video saying, “Mushollas [prayer rooms] without permits, we have never heard of...Hey, we are the majority.”
Article 303 of the Criminal Code (KUHP), enacted and effective since Jan. 2, states: “Any person who uses violence or threats of violence to disturb, obstruct, or disperse lawful worship or religious ceremonies shall be punished by imprisonment for up to two years.” Heavier sanctions, up to five years in prison, may be imposed if the act is accompanied by serious violence, an attack on a place of worship, or elements of religion-based hostility/hatred.
Article 300 of the KUHP states: “Any person who publicly expresses hatred or incites discrimination and violence against another religion or belief shall be punished by imprisonment for up to three years.”
Mediation
The demand to close the place of worship continued in a mediation meeting that same evening (Sept. 20) at the Rajeg District Office, in Mekarsari.
The parties reached an undisclosed agreement that was said to achieve “peace,” but 11 hours later Tangerang Regent Maesyal Rasyid reportedly decided to officially close the house of prayer, claiming it was too small for the congregation.
Special Staff of the Ministry of Religious Affairs for Harmony Gugun Gumilar and Tangerang Regent Maesyal Rasyid were present at the mediation meeting. Officials from the regency, district, Tangerang Ministry of Religious Affairs office, administrators of the Forum for Interfaith Harmony, community leaders, religious leaders, and other relevant parties also reportedly attended.
Aji apologized at the meeting for the disruption he caused with the sharp weapon, claiming he was carrying the machete because he had just returned from cutting grass for his livestock and had attended a cultural Islamic event.
“On behalf of myself, Cahyono Putra, I offer my deepest apologies to the Christians for the disturbance that occurred this afternoon in the field due to my mistake after returning from a commemorative event and cutting grass, thus carrying a sharp weapon. I offer my deepest apologies,” a video shows him saying.
GKPI representative Hadi Sucipto stated that he accepted the settlement and would not pursue the matter further. At that time, both sides reportedly agreed to take no legal action.
“We accept the apology, and it has been resolved through deliberation and mediation,” Hadi said.
The agreement collapsed, however, when Tangerang Regent Maesyal Rasyid decided to officially close the house of prayer, according to Kabarterdepan.com.
“The regent’s reason was that the house of prayer was too small and inadequate for the congregation,” church elder Surya Sarjono Lumban Gaol reportedly said, adding that the congregation was forced to hold their Sept. 27 service in member homes.
Gugun of the ministry of religious affairs expressed regret over the incident on Metro TV’s Sept. 22 Primetime News program. He said the prayer house had been operating for four years and possessed a Registration Certificate Letter (SKTL) from the Ministry of Religious Affairs office.
“Please worship there again, because no one is allowed to prohibit it,” Gugun said. “We deeply regret the anarchic actions of residents carrying sharp weapons. Disturbing people’s worship is a criminal act regulated in the KUHP.”
Concern and criticism also came from various democracy, human rights and peace institutions such as Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights, Amnesty International Indonesia, and Setara, according to Kompas.com. While expressing appreciation for the mediation efforts, they stated that such settlements are too shallow to provide security for aggrieved parties.
National Commission on Human Rights Chairwoman Anis Hidayah said the Muslims’ actions violated citizens’ rights guaranteed by the constitution.
“Such actions fall into the category of persecution that cannot be justified, because the right to worship is guaranteed in the constitution,” Anis said. “Of course, violence for any reason cannot be justified and cannot be tolerated, including permit issues – those are administrative matters. Therefore, they cannot become justification for violence and persecution.”
Amnesty International Indonesia Deputy Director Wirya Adiwena urged police to continue criminal legal proceedings against those who disrupted the worship service, especially the wielder of the machete.
“Mediation without legal process sends a misleading message to the wider community that disrupting worship activities guaranteed by the Constitution can be resolved through deliberation without legal accountability,” Wirya stated on the Amnesty website.
With criticisms and condemnations circulating, several parties filed criminal charges. Ismail Tinambunan, a Christian university student and member of the Indonesian Christian Student Movement (GMKI), filed criminal charges with police on Sept. 22, calling on the public to support the legal action.
On behalf of the Mekarsari village GKPI congregation, attorneys Tulus Pardosi, Edi Sianipar and Rehan Pangestu on Sept. 21 reportedly filed criminal charges with the Tangerang Resort Police for disruption of worship and threats.
“Peaceful processes in society have occurred, that’s good,” Tulus reportedly said. “But criminal responsibility must not be nullified.”
Attorney Muhamad Rehan Pangestu also filed criminal charges at the Tangerang City Police station on Sept. 21, according to Tempo.co.
Police questioned at least eight witnesses, according to various sources.
The Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) called for legal action.
“We strongly condemn the forced dispersal of GKPI worship in Rajeg, Tangerang,” said the PGI's Jacky F. Manuputty, according to Tirto.id. “Authorities must take legal action against those who provoked the act, especially residents carrying machetes, brandishing them and threatening bloodshed there.”
Prayer houses, unlike church buildings, do not require a permit, rights advocates say.
The incident was condemned widely on social media by Christians and Muslims.