U.S. embassy issues caution for pubgoers<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The U.S. embassy in Jakarta has warned American expatriates and
\ntourists to take precautions against possible attacks on
\nnightspots during Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
\"The U.S. embassy cautions American citizens to avoid
\nstandalone bars, clubs or nightclubs where similar acts of
\nviolence may be repeated,\" the embassy said in a statement,
\nissued late on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The warning was a response to a string of attacks against
\nseveral establishments in Greater Jakarta since the beginning of
\nRamadhan on Oct. 15.<\/p>\n
The Islam Defenders Front (FPI) vowed to continue raiding
\nnightspots during Ramadhan, and said it was necessary because the
\nauthorities had turned a blind eye to the operation of some
\nnightspots. The FPI apparently believes that such establishments
\nare immoral and thus particularly offensive during the holy
\nmonth.<\/p>\n
The police and the government had not commented on or done
\nmuch about the FPI's actions until this past weekend, after the
\nFPI attacked Star Deli bar\/restaurant in Kemang, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Although the restaurant had already closed and was not
\nviolating any city bylaws, FPI attackers still smashed up the
\nplace, which is a popular spot for expatriates.<\/p>\n
FPI's action was criticized by new Coordinating Minister for
\nPolitical, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo A. S., who
\nreiterated that \"only the police have the authority to take legal
\nmeasures\" against violators of a law.<\/p>\n
\"Leave the matter to the police,\" he said after holding the
\nfirst coordinating meeting on political, legal and security
\naffairs on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Responding to the U.S. embassy's warning, Widodo said the
\ngovernment was responsible for protecting both foreign and
\nIndonesian residents in the country.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani reacted to the FPI
\nviolence by deploying 1,100 officers over the weekend to patrol
\nthe streets. He said the vandalism was \"out of line\" and
\ndefinitely a violation of the law.<\/p>\n
Separately, an FPI spokesperson, Alwi, said the his group had
\napologized to the city police chief for destroying nightspots.<\/p>\n
\"We did our actions because we saw the police have done
\nnothing towards the nightspots,\" he was quoted as saying by
\ntempointeraktif.com. \"The police should not only protect the
\nnightspot owners, but also protect our rights to oversee public
\nmorality.\"<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) also came out with a
\nstatement on the FPI, saying their actions \"would tarnish the
\nreputation of Islam\".<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-embassy-issues-caution-for-pubgoers-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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