FPI quizzes Sutiyoso's stand<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
At least 50 members of religious hard-line group Islam Defenders
\nFront (FPI) sought an explanation from Governor Sutiyoso about
\nthe latter's stance on gambling and transsexuals.<\/p>\n
\"We want to hear from Sutiyoso himself whether or not he has
\ndonated Rp 100 million of the city budget to the pageant for
\ntranssexuals recently, and if he supports the idea of legalizing
\ngambling in the city,\" said FPI's paramilitary wing commander
\nAhmad Sabri Lubis.<\/p>\n
He met with Sutiyoso's subordinates, as the Governor was in a
\nmeeting.<\/p>\n
Lubis said the organization suspected that Sutiyoso had
\nignored prevailing regulations which outlaw beauty pageants for
\ntranssexuals as well as gambling.<\/p>\n
Lubis claimed that the FPI received a tip-off that Sutiyoso
\nwas also present at the beauty contest and donated around Rp 100
\nmillion for the event held at the Sarinah building on Jl. MH
\nThamrin in Central Jakarta early last week.<\/p>\n
More than 100 FPI members came to protest against the Miss
\nWaria Indonesia, but the organizers refused to bow down to the
\nprotesters' demand to stop the event and went on with the contest
\nunder heavy security provided by the police.<\/p>\n
In addition, Lubis said that FPI also alleged that Sutiyoso's
\nadministration was attempting to permit gambling businesses in
\nthe capital.<\/p>\n
He asserted that by tolerating the beauty contest, Sutiyoso's
\nadministration had shown \"serious contempt for Islamic teachings
\nand law, which would lead to devastation of the whole society\".<\/p>\n
Another protester, who introduced himself as a representative
\nof FPI West Java warned that Sutiyoso's stance would become a
\nprecedent for other provinces in the country.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Juwita Harahap, head of the city's crisis center
\ndenied that Sutiyoso had donated money for the pageant.<\/p>\n
\"So far, there has been no decree issued by Sutiyoso over the
\nuse of city budget for a beauty pageant for transsexuals. My unit
\nwill be the first to know of any donations given for such
\nevents,\" Juwita said.<\/p>\n
Juwita also asserted that the administration would do nothing
\nthat contravened prevailing regulations or laws.<\/p>\n
However, she promised to convey FPI's allegations and
\ncomplaints to Sutiyoso.<\/p>\n
FPI has become notorious for its violent raids on night clubs
\nand entertainment centers across the capital in the past five
\nyears.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fpi-quizzes-sutiyosos-stand-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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