Indonesia's 10 Most Intolerant Cities in 2024

According to the Tolerant City Index (ICI) by the Setara Institute, Pagar Alam was the least tolerant city in Indonesia in 2024. The city in South Sumatra scored only 4.381 points on a scale of 1-7 points.

The higher the score, the better the level of tolerance in a region is assumed to be. However, the Setara Institute emphasizes that intolerance is not limited to social life but also includes responses to new knowledge or technology.

"This is also due to the lack of focus and innovation in promoting tolerance in the city, while other cities have been rushing to implement various innovations and breakthroughs in advancing tolerance," wrote the Setara Institute in its *2024 Tolerant City Index* report.

Although there are no records of discriminatory policies or intolerant events in social life, Pagar Alam is said to lack a complete tolerance ecosystem, such as a development vision, promotional policies, and concrete actions from both the government and the community.

"Political leadership, bureaucratic leadership, and community leadership in the city have also not shown real and collaborative performance in advancing tolerance," wrote the Setara Institute.

Following Pagar Alam in the top 10 list are Sabang, Ternate, Bandar Lampung, and Pare-pare. Here is the complete list of the 10 least tolerant cities in Indonesia in 2024 according to the Setara Institute's ICI:

1. Pagar Alam: 4.381 points
2. Sabang: 4.377 points
3. Ternate: 4.370 points
4. Makassar: 4.363 points
5. Bandar Lampung: 4.357 points
6. Pekanbaru: 4.320 points
7. Banda Aceh: 4.202 points
8. Lhokseumawe: 4.140 points
9. Cilegon: 3.994 points
10. Pare-Pare: 3.945 points

The Setara Institute measured the ICI in 94 out of 98 cities in Indonesia. The four eliminated cities are administrative cities in DKI Jakarta, which were then combined into one.

The ICI is assessed based on 8 indicators, namely:

1. Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD);
2. City government policies;
3. Intolerance events;
4. Civil society dynamics;
5. Public statements by the city government;
6. Concrete actions by the city government;
7. Religious heterogeneity; and
8. Religious social inclusion.