Police fire at FPI truck after game centers attacked<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Responding to criticism against their
\nsluggishness in enforcing the law to groups which continuously
\nraid entertainment centers in the capital, policemen shot at a
\ntruck loaded with members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) who
\nhad just vandalized entertainment centers early Monday.<\/p>\n
A police report said that there was no injuries reported from
\nthe shooting since the West Jakarta Police officers only shot the
\ntires of the truck that was used by the group in a bid to stop
\nit.<\/p>\n
The group had just returned from vandalizing four game centers
\nat the Taman Duta Mas shopping complex in Jelambar, West Jakarta,
\npolice report said.<\/p>\n
The report said that some 200 members of the group arrived at
\nthe complex at around 1 a.m. on a truck. Using several objects
\nwhich included crowbars they broke into the game centers which
\nwere closed at the time.<\/p>\n
\"The group destroyed several poker machines in the game
\ncenters. They also stole five air conditioners and one (drinking
\nwater) dispenser\", an officer reported.<\/p>\n
When police officers arrived at the scene, the assailants were
\nholding two employees from one game center as hostage, before
\ntrying to escape in the truck.<\/p>\n
In an attempt to stop the truck police fired three warning
\nshots. The truck kept speeding until police shot the truck tires.
\nHowever, all of the group managed to escape. No arrests have been
\nmade in connection with this incident.<\/p>\n
FPI is known to have raided several entertainment centers on
\nthe premise that -- as the group has claimed -- are being used
\nfor prostitution, gambling and drug transaction places.<\/p>\n
The group often reportedly destroys equipment in the
\nentertainment centers during their attacks.<\/p>\n
Many Muslim activists, however, have showed their opposition
\nto FPI's way of fighting businesses they considered sinful.<\/p>\n
Last week, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf
\nannounced that police would no longer tolerate such unlawful acts
\nby FPI.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mulyono Sulaiman said that
\nMonday's shooting was the police's way to prevent any further
\narbitrary unlawful acts from becoming a trend of the group.<\/p>\n
\"We don't want to be arrogant, but (the shooting) was merely
\nan effort to protect the people from any kind of lawless
\nactions,\" Mulyono told reporters at the Jakarta Police
\nHeadquarters.<\/p>\n
On Saturday night, an unidentified group attacked the Salsa
\nClub Cafe and the Pasir Putih Seafood Market Grill and Bar
\nrestaurant in Kemang, South Jakarta. The attackers looted the
\nrestaurants and stole cafe patrons belongings, including wallets
\nand cellular phones.<\/p>\n
Condemnation<\/p>\n
Separately, FPI condemned police for the shooting, saying that
\nthe action was erroneous since the police randomly shot FPI's car
\nwhich was driving along peacefully.<\/p>\n
\"It was such an uncivilized act,\" FPI's chairman Rezik told a
\nmedia conference at their base in Petamburan, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Rezik said that the group had raided the game centers as they
\nwere used for gambling. He added that the officers shot
\na Kijang van, which was used by the group for \"monitoring\", not
\nthe truck used to transport FPI members in the predawn raid.<\/p>\n
Rezik said that the shooting indicated that the West Jakarta
\nPolice condoned the businesses concerned.<\/p>\n
He also denied that the group members had tried to steal
\nanything from the complex.<\/p>\n
\"It is slanderous!\" Rezik said in a raised voice, adding that
\nthe group demanded West Jakarta Police chief Supt. Iwan Nurisman
\nIsmet should resign for his subordinates' actions.<\/p>\n
FPI has also filed a report at the Jakarta Police Headquarters
\non the shooting.<\/p>\n
Rezik said that FPI vowed to continue raiding entertainment
\ncenters they believed to be used for any immoral activities.
\n(jaw)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-fire-at-fpi-truck-after-game-centers-attacked-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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