Habib Salim Alatas, Jakarta chairman of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), speaks at his residence on May 14th, 2012 after the FPI mobilised thousands to protest a Jakarta appearance by pop star Lady Gaga. Recent remarks by Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi about "working together" with the group have drawn controversy. [Romeo Gacad/AFP]

Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi's conciliatory comments about the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) have been sharply criticized by many members of society, and eagerly welcomed by the hard-line group.

At an urban planning conference on October 24th, Gamawan urged regional governments in Indonesia to work with organisations like the FPI, which, he suggested, could be mobilised to assist local administrations during major Muslim holidays.

"Up to now we have positioned the FPI in a certain way," Gamawan told reporters later that day, defending the controversial remarks. "If we approach them, if we work together, they can become a national asset," Kompas quoted him as saying.

"If they make mistakes, that's wrong. But the good is there also. In Aceh for instance, they came to help," he said, referring to relief efforts after the 2004 tsunami.

Just a few months ago, in July, Gamawan was among those speaking against the group after a clash between FPI supporters and residents of Kendal, Central Java, in which a local woman was killed by a speeding FPI vehicle. The hardline group is known for such brawls, as well as violent vice raids and attacks on churches and minority-sect mosques.

Rewarding violence?

Reaction to Gamawan's remarks was swift and pointed. "I think the minister's statement is ridiculous," 37-year-old Jakarta resident Dhani Dharmawan told Khabar Southeast Asia.

FPI's actions often contradict Indonesian efforts to promote tolerance and democracy, he said. "Even worse, when the hard-line organization conducts raids, they do it under the name of religion," Dhani said."

A leader of the Gusdurian community in Bandung, West Java, whose members promote the pluralistic values espoused by former president Abdurrahman Wahid, said the home minister's statement was the "wrong call".

The FPI tries to apply rule of law using Sharia, using violence and intolerance, and causing fear and insecurity in the community, Wawan Gunawan told Khabar.

"We should punish them and not reward them," he said, adding, "FPI is not promoting Islam because in Islam, we learn about creating peace for others and not violence."

House of Representatives Commission III member Martin Hutabarat said Gamawan should use his influence to reform the FPI. "The home minister maybe can approach FPI to conduct peaceful movements, not violent," he told Khabar.

"Deceitful and stupid"

FPI leader Habib Rizieq Syihab welcomed Gamawan's comments and blasted their critics.

"The appeal of the home minister for regional governments to work with the FPI is an intelligent appeal, based on facts from the field," he told inilah.com. "A handful of people" have responded with negative comments that are "envious, jealous, deceitful, and stupid," he added.

He said the group works in disaster relief, environmental clean-up and health, and supports Pancasila "when it is correctly interpreted". FPI is ready to work with the government on a wide range of social matters, he added.

"In the alleviation of social diseases like shamanism, narcotics, alcoholism, gambling, prostitution, etc, whenever and wherever, the FPI is ready to help without compensation."

In July, an FPI official told Tempo the group has "millions" of members and is registered at the Home Ministry as an official organisation.

Said Aqil Siradj, chairman of Indonesia's largest Muslim organization, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), was among those calling for FPI to be disbanded after the Kendal incident in July.

"We urge the government to disband the group, which has engaged in numerous incidents of vandalism and showed a deplorable attitude," he told Khabar on July 28th. "Their behaviour does not reflect Islamic teachings."