Governor of West Java Demands Justice After Muslim Mob Attacks Christian Retreat
by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – Despite a previously signed agreement by Christian leaders to avoid legal action, the governor of West Java has called for full prosecution of a violent June 27 mob attack on a Christian youth retreat, describing it as a “serious criminal matter” that must not go unpunished.
Approximately 200 Muslims stormed a private Christian retreat home in Tangkil village, Sukabumi, shouting slogans and causing significant damage while police and military personnel stood by. The attack followed Friday mosque prayers and left the retreat’s windows shattered, a gazebo and garden destroyed, and personal property damaged or looted.
Videos circulating online show retreat participants fleeing as men used tools, chairs, and even a large wooden cross torn from the wall to smash windows and attack vehicles. Children were reportedly traumatized by the sudden onslaught, unable to gather their belongings before being rushed to safety.
West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi visited the victims’ home and pledged to oversee the police investigation personally. “The government must maintain harmony in its society. West Java must be peaceful and calm,” Mulyadi said in a July 1 video after meeting with the family of Maria Veronica Nina, the 70-year-old owner of the attacked home.
Mulyadi compensated the family with approximately $6,250 USD and promised psychological assistance for the traumatized children. He emphasized that the family, long-time residents of Tangkil village, deserved the protection of the law. “This is not merely a property dispute or social friction — it is a crime,” he said.
In stark contrast, the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights advocated for a more lenient approach. Thomas Harming Suwarta, a special staff member at the ministry, called for the suspension of detention for the eight arrested suspects, calling the attack a “misunderstanding” and pushing for a restorative justice process.
Legal experts, such as Criminal Law Professor Djisman Samosir, affirmed that restorative justice must involve mutual agreement between the victim and the perpetrator and cannot proceed unilaterally. Sukabumi Police Chief Samian stated that a formal request for release had been submitted and would be reviewed in accordance with standard procedures.
Despite this, West Java Police Chief Inspector General Rudy Setiawan confirmed that seven perpetrators were involved in an organized act of destruction, which included damaging a fence, a cross, and vehicles. Witnesses recounted the terror of the attack, with one woman recalling, “Stones were thrown everywhere… our children were traumatized.”
While Governor Mulyadi seeks full accountability, he has also facilitated reconciliation by directing compensation funds toward local public infrastructure, including mosques—a gesture acknowledged by the victims. “We accept this assistance and will distribute it for the benefit of public facilities and nearby mosques or prayer rooms,” said Yongki Djien, a family member managing the retreat property.
The incident underscores growing religious tension in Indonesia, where rising Islamic conservatism poses a growing risk for Christian groups engaged in outreach. According to Open Doors, Christian communities in parts of Indonesia are increasingly vulnerable to hostility from extremist factions.
Governor Mulyadi’s insistence on legal accountability marks a rare but decisive stance in defense of religious minorities amid an atmosphere where local authorities often urge silence and compromise.
Christianity in Indonesia
Over the past 25 years, Christianity in Indonesia has experienced notable growth, especially among ethnic minorities and in regions outside of the Muslim-majority heartlands such as Java. The number of Christians–both Protestants and Catholics–has steadily increased due to both conversions and demographic changes, particularly in eastern provinces like Papua, North Sulawesi, and parts of Kalimantan and the Moluccas. Evangelical and Pentecostal movements have also gained traction, often emphasizing healing, community outreach, and vibrant worship, which appeal to younger generations and those disillusioned with traditional religious structures.
At the same time, this growth has brought increased scrutiny and resistance from segments of the Muslim-majority population. Radical Islamist groups, emboldened by political developments and global trends in extremism, have increasingly targeted Christian communities with intimidation, vandalism, and violence. Attacks on churches, especially those involved in outreach, have become more frequent in regions such as West Java and Aceh, where local governments often enforce restrictive zoning laws to prevent church construction. Christians often struggle to obtain permits, and unauthorized gatherings are sometimes met with mob violence.
Despite Indonesia’s constitutional guarantee of religious freedom, enforcement is inconsistent. Local authorities often side with majority pressure, and the legal system has proven reluctant to prosecute attackers, sometimes encouraging reconciliation without justice. Efforts by Christians to seek redress through legal channels are frequently dismissed as destabilizing, pushing many to avoid formal complaints and settle disputes quietly. Blasphemy laws have also been used disproportionately against Christians, most infamously in the 2017 imprisonment of Jakarta’s Christian governor, Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.
Nevertheless, many believers remain resilient and continue to worship, serve their communities, and share their faith despite pressure. Christian leaders in Indonesia often emphasize peace, forgiveness, and non-retaliation, modeling perseverance through hardship. The Indonesian Church has also become more united across denominational lines in recent years, recognizing the need to support one another in the face of persecution. As Christianity grows in both numbers and spiritual depth, it stands as a testimony of endurance in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.
Over the past 50 years, Christianity in Indonesia has grown modestly nationwide — from around 9% to over 11% — but has experienced dramatic growth in certain provinces. This growth, while peaceful in intent, has sometimes sparked opposition in more conservative Islamic areas, leading to both legal challenges and outbreaks of persecution. Still, the resilience of the Indonesian Church has allowed it to become a significant and stable part of the national religious landscape.
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