There were approximately 200 participants of Rakornas,  comprising of: FKUB provincial representatives from all over in Indonesia (2 persons for each province); FKUB district representatives from selected districts  (2 persons for each selected district); the Head of Provincial Office of MoRA and Kesbang; the Head of Regional Office of MoRA in selected districts, religious organization, and academicians.

The speakers were experts on PBM, either in its formation or implementation. They were: the Head of Center for Religious Life, MoRA, Prof. H.  Abd. Mas'ud Rahman; Director of Politics and Community Facilitation, DR. Ir. Suhatmansyah, M.Si.; Director C of Intelligence and Security Board, POLRI, Brigjen. Pol. Muji Waluyo, Rector of IAIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya, Prof. DR. H. Nur Syam, and Prof. DR. Ridwan Lubis.

Prof. H. Abd. Rahman Mas'ud presented a paper titled: “The 4th Year Evaluation of PBM No. 9 and 8 of 2006”. The paper is a product of research project conducted by the Center for Religious Life (2009) regarding the Role of FKUB on Implementing Its Duties as Stipulated in Article 8, 9, and 10 of PBM. The research shows that in spite of being less optimal, many of FKUB have performed their duties as stipulated in Article 8, 9, and 10 of PBM,. So, FKUB needs to have a clear, and measurable job description and work plan as well. This session, which was chaired by Prof. Ridwan Lubis, received a good appreciation from the participants, as shown from responses by some questions related to field problems. At the end of the assembly, the moderator highlighted the need of Governor Regulation to regulate certain details as stated on PBM.

Meanwhile, Brigjen. Pol. Muji Waluyo, in his paper titled “Strategic Role of FKUB on Supporting Public Safety and The success  of Regional Elections 2010,” stated that the role and function of FKUB on creating a safe and peaceful Indonesia was currently faced with the challenge of complicated social dynamics. Especially on facing Regional Elections, the role of FKUB was expected because FKUB could be used as media for religious followers to share information dealing with religious harmony that could interfere with public safety. Brigjen. Pol. Muji Waluyo also asserted that FKUB was a partner of POLRI in creating security and order.

 Some issues in the discussion were:

a.      The recommendation of FKUB, as one of the requirement for building house of worship, should it always grant the request of establishment of house of worship, or could it reject the request?

b.      FKUB Advisory Boards in some areas were not functioning optimally. Several participants suggested the Ministry of Internal Affairs to hold a similar event to rakornas, which will specifically invite the FKUB advisory boards.

c.      Director of Politics and Community Facilitation informed that 90% of Governor Regulation  that has been published, were just a replicate of PBM. Thus, FKUB still needs an adequate, more detailed guidelines for their activities;

d.      For the island regions, there were some difficulties such as fulfilling the requirement to have at least 90 potential users of house of worship. This requirement makes it difficult because of the limited religious followers in island regions.

e.      There were FKUB member who were still activists of certain political parties, or appointed as an FKUB member because he/she has a certain position in government;

f.       Studies should be done to explore the necessity of forming a FKUB in national level.

Although there were some field-problems dealing with the existence and the role of FKUB, but it is believed that this can be solved by PBM.  As stated by the Minister of Internal Affairs in his welcoming speech, because of PBM, the apparatus and the society have agreed reference in solving problems in some regions, and the existence of FKUB has become a partner of local governments to solve the problem on religious harmony.

Several FKUB members in the provincial level claimed to become partners of the local government in creating harmony. Therefore, local governments did not hesitate to allocate funds from the budget for the implementation of FKUB’s tasks. This issue was raised by the FKUB representatives from Central Kalimantan and Bali Provinces.

The result of Rakornas was a consensus for a declaration on facing regional elections.  This Declaration, which was ratified by 33 representatives of provincial FKUB, was an agreement from the entire board of FKUB to contribute to the success of regional elections (Pilkada).

It is hoped that the outpouring of funds, time, energy, and thoughts contributed by all parties who have participated in the Rakornas had given a meaningful lesson in particularly for the empowerment of FKUB which in turn can create religious harmony in our beloved archipelago, Indonesia.  (ks)