An Islamist group has forced an Indonesian church to close just weeks after it opened on March 7, according to World Watch Monitor.

The Islamic Forum Community (FUI) and other Islamist organisations have sealed off the Santa Clara Church in Bekasi, east of Jakarta, and torn down its sign.

They have protested the church since it obtained its permit in July 2015, claiming church leaders used false identity cards to get it.

Local law enforcement agencies failed to intervene on the church's behalf, leaving its congregation in "fear and uncertainty", according to the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).

Although the Bekasi mayor defended the church against FUI's argument that the church had been built in a majority Muslim area and refused to annul the permit, little is being done on the ground.

"Law enforcement agencies have failed to protect the Santa Clara Church congregants; in fact, it seems the agencies have no will or policy to enforce the law against the vigilantes. As a result, the church congregation lives under pressure and intimidation," said the AHRC in a letter of appeal.

The local police must "take a strong stance" against the FUI and "ensure that the government guarantees protection to the Santa Clara congregation to practise their religion", the letter added.

"Furthermore, the government should revise the law on the establishment of worship places without any discrimination among the various religions and beliefs that exist in Indonesia."

This is the latest example in a long line of attacks against Christians in the Jakarta area.

In March 2013, the Batak Protestant Church, also in Bekasi, was destroyed almost immediately after it was built. Protesting Muslims made similar claims that the church's leaders had forged signatures to obtain the permit.

"In the last decade, the existence of intolerant vigilante groups has become a serious problem in Indonesia," wrote the AHRC in its letter to supporters.

"More importantly, the country's law enforcement does not seem to be willing or committed to enforcing the law against such groups, despite their actions being in violation of the right to freedom of religion and belief guaranteed in the 1945 Indonesian Constitution. Article 29, Paragraph 2 requires the State to 'ensure the freedom of every citizen to choose their own religion and to worship according to their religion and belief itself'."