JAKARTA, Indonesia – Government officials issued further warnings Monday (July 8th) to Muslim vigilante groups including the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), against raiding restaurants or clubs during Ramadan, insisting such actions are illegal unless conducted by police, local media reported.
Neither National Police chief Timur Pradopo nor National Intelligence Agency chief Marciano Norman would comment on what types of punishment would be levied against vigilante groups who raid venues deemed as offering inappropriate entertainment, The Jakarta Post reported. Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi said the new law on mass organisation could be cited.
House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Priyo Budi Santoso said, "The FPI may have good intentions but they must remember that we live under a legal system. Thus, I call on the FPI and other groups to abide by the law for the sake of public order. "
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued a request of its own, urging Islamic organisations not to conduct sweeps during Ramadan. But it also urged police to crack down on what it called "violations that may interfere with Ramadan", Okezone reported.
Add A Comment (Comments Policy)* denotes required field