After months of debate, the Indonesian House of Representatives passed the mass organizations bill into law on Tuesday, July 2. This new law puts the Home Ministry in charge of the government’s integrated information system to screen all mass organizations operating in the country. Many organizations, both Christian and Muslim, are very concerned about this bill, and plan to challenge it. One big concern is that the government now has the power to disband any organization they deem a threat to the state. Article 5 bans blasphemy, activities that promote separatism, and violation of Pancasila. All mass organizations will have to undergo a screening process with related ministries to secure a permit from the government.
Pray that this law will not hinder the many non-profit and religious organizations from doing the work they believe God has called them to do.
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