Government Ambiguity: Between Accommodation and Discrimination of Identity in Multicultural Society

Indonesia has a concept ‘unity of diversity’ to synthesize a plurality of identities –religions, ethnics, cultures, etc-. In realizing this concept, the government should be an agent to provide harmony within a multicultural society. Unfortunately, this study oppositely illustrates the policy of a local government which tends to result in less tolerant attitudes toward minority religion. This study examined Tangerang City as a case study during Wahidin Halim as a mayor in tenure 2009-2013. The study shows how a local government applied different policies toward majority and minority groups. The government used Islamic symbols in public spaces to convey the local government’s vision, whereas, Santa Bernadet parish (Catholics Church) struggled to fight worship rights. The propensity of intolerance government attitude could be seen when religion intertwined in political interest. The Multiculturalism perspective is used to analyze this case to see how the state appropriately treats plural societies. This study gathered data through interviews of local leaders and representatives from the Catholics group.