Open access Journal
Navigating “Second-Class” Citizenship: Minority Perceptions of the “Gospel City” Regulation in Manokwari
Lex Scientia Law Review · Vol. 10 No. 1 (2026) · pp. 465–492
- ISSN
- 2598-9685, 2598-9677
- Published
- 2026-06-30
- Publisher
- Universitas Negeri Semarang
- Language
- eng
Abstract
This article examines the implications of Manokwari Regency Regulation No. 3 of 2018 concerning the Arrangement of Manokwari as a Gospel City (Penataan Manokwari sebagai Daerah Injil) for the civil rights of religious minorities and explores how religion-related regional regulations can be formulated to strengthen national integration. Drawing on the theories of symbolic legislation, legal pluralism, and accommodative leadership, the study employs a qualitative descriptive-analytical approach based on in-depth interviews with Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist religious leaders in Manokwari. The findings reveal a paradoxical relationship between symbolic law and social reality. At the symbolic level, many minority respondents perceive the regulation as privileging a particular religious identity and raising concerns regarding equality, recognition, and religious freedom. However, its practical impact on the everyday lives of minority communities remains limited. This is largely because the most restrictive provisions contained in earlier drafts were removed, no implementing regulations were subsequently issued, and the regulation's effects have been moderated by local mechanisms of coexistence. The study highlights the importance of the Satu Tungku Tiga Batu philosophy, customary authority, and accommodative local leadership in sustaining interreligious harmony and mitigating the potential exclusionary effects of formal law. The article argues that the Manokwari case illustrates the limits of symbolic legislation in shaping social relations within a plural society. It concludes that the protection of minority rights and the strengthening of national integration are more likely to be achieved through inclusive, non-discriminatory, and substantively oriented regulations that accommodate legal and cultural diversity rather than through the formal affirmation of a single religious identity.
Keywords
Collaboration network of the authors
40 authors · 114 co-authorship links · 20 across different organisations · showing the 40 most connected
Hover or tap a name to highlight its co-authors. Double-click to open the author's page.
- State University of Semarang
- Northern Illinois University
- Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry
- Universitas Wahid Hasyim
- Universiti Teknologi MARA
- University of Debrecen
- Affiliation unknown
- Different organisations
- Same organisation
- Affiliation unknown
- Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
| Co-author | Organisation | Joint articles |
|---|---|---|
| Suhadi Suhadi | State University of Semarang | 4 |
| Dina Silvia Puteri | State University of Semarang | 3 |
| Asmarani Ramli | State University of Semarang | 2 |
| Zahra Mauludina | State University of Semarang | 2 |
| Brian Marcelino | State University of Semarang | 2 |
| Choirunnisa Adlea | State University of Semarang | 2 |
| Syatriawan Lagura | State University of Semarang | 2 |
| Ridwan Arifin | State University of Semarang | 2 |
| Irawaty Irawaty | State University of Semarang | 2 |
| Widya Kusumasari | State University of Semarang | 2 |
| Isnani | Affiliation unknown | 1 |
| Ardi Sirajudin Rauf | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Imam Baehaqie | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Lucky Andinna Santyoko | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Muhammad Ridha | Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry | 1 |
| Martitah Martitah | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Elyna Noor Dina Nazla | Affiliation unknown | 1 |
| Yurida Zakky Umami | Universitas Wahid Hasyim | 1 |
| Sudijono Sastroatmodjo | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Isnani Isnani | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Ratih Damayanti | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Ali Masyhar Mursyid | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Feiruz Rachmita Alamsyah | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Muhammad Azil Masykur | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Dewi Sulistianingsih | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| I Made Widia Wirya Putra | Affiliation unknown | 1 |
| Rendy Razie Hendrawan | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Ayup Suran Ningsih | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Roziya Abu | Universiti Teknologi MARA | 1 |
| Suhadi Suhadi | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Tri Andari Dahlan | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Tamás Fézer | University of Debrecen | 1 |
| Irawaty Irawaty | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Duhita Driyah Suprapti | State University of Semarang | 1 |
| Wara Dyah Pita Rengga | State University of Semarang | 1 |
Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.