Nightspots raided, alcoholic drinks destroyed<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post,
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Dozens of Islam Defenders Front (FPI) members raided two
\nentertainment spots on Jl. Daan Mogot in West Jakarta on
\nWednesday, destroying bottles of alcohol found at the venues.<\/p>\n
The raid on the two live music clubs, Sahabat and Bandara,
\nwere conducted at about 10 p.m.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam
\ncriticized the incident, saying that both the FPI and the club
\nmanagement were in the wrong.<\/p>\n
The FPI had launched a raid which was the police's authority,
\nwhile the night spots had violated the recent ban on the
\noperation of entertainment centers and restaurants during
\nRamadhan, said Anton.<\/p>\n
\"They (FPI) are not entitled to take the law into its own
\nhands. Their role is limited to giving information, and then
\nleaving the rest to the police to take the necessary action,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
In this case, the management of the night spots were found
\nguilty as it sold alcoholic drinks during the Muslim fasting
\nmonth, Anton added.<\/p>\n
\"We will take firm action against those who have broken the
\nlaw,\" Anton told The Jakarta Post, adding that police feared
\nnothing in upholding the law and dealing with those who break it.<\/p>\n
However, so far, the police had yet to charge anyone in
\nrelation to the incident.<\/p>\n
The decree issued by Governor Sutiyoso bans various
\nentertainment spots like night clubs, discotheques, and massage
\nparlors, except those parlors with blind masseurs, during the
\nfasting month.<\/p>\n
Certain nightspots like karaoke lounges, live music venues,
\ncafes and bars are allowed to open from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.<\/p>\n
The decree does not explicitly ban the sale of alcohol, but it
\nstipulates that they should comply with \"religious norms\".<\/p>\n
FPI commander Al Habib Muhammad Rizieq told the Post they
\nraided the live music spots as they opened at 6 p.m. and sold
\nalcoholic drinks.<\/p>\n
He criticized Anton's statement, saying the police must also
\nbe condemned as it pretended to know nothing about violations of
\nthe decree.<\/p>\n
\"Police are supposed to take legal action against those
\nentertainment spots which do not abide by the decree, but they do
\nnot,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Rizieq said the FPI has launched raids against several
\namusement spots including a massage parlor in Kembangan, West
\nJakarta, which did not abide by the decree.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, lawyers Tubagus Haryo Karbyanto and Apong Herlina
\ncriticized the FPI raids.<\/p>\n
\"FPI shouldn't impose double standard on the matter. They
\nattacked the places on behalf of the law, while the attack itself
\nis against the law,\" Tubagus told the Post.<\/p>\n
Apong reiterated Tubagus' comments saying the FPI should
\nfollow legal procedures if they thought the venues were breaking
\nthe law.<\/p>\n
\"They should tell the police or public order officers about
\nit,\" she said.<\/p>\n
However, both lawyers also criticized the city administration
\nand its weak control over decree implementation saying it had
\nfailed to close entertainment spots.<\/p>\n
They also questioned the decree, which was confusing as it did
\nnot explicitly ban the sale of alcohol.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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