Indonesia reiterates warnings to vigilante groups during Ramadan

July 10, 2013
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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.

  • A steam roller destroys hundreds of alcoholic drinks, pornographic materials and pirated DVDs outside a Jakarta police station Monday (July 8th). The materials were seized by police during recent raids ahead of Ramadan. Authorities said Tuesday it is not the responsibility of civilian vigilante groups to carry out such raids and warned participants would be punished. [Adek Berry/AFP]

    A steam roller destroys hundreds of alcoholic drinks, pornographic materials and pirated DVDs outside a Jakarta police station Monday (July 8th). The materials were seized by police during recent raids ahead of Ramadan. Authorities said Tuesday it is not the responsibility of civilian vigilante groups to carry out such raids and warned participants would be punished. [Adek Berry/AFP]

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.

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Photo Essay

Members of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) attend a 2010 rally in front of Indonesia's constitutional court as it debates a law on blasphemy. The FPI, a hardline group known for its vigilante-style attacks on businesses and individuals, has been accused of undermining democracy and rule of law in Indonesia. [Adek Berry/AFP]

Indonesia's Islamist vigilantes: a threat to rule of law?