Vigilante vandalism rears ugly head again<\/p>\n
Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Police announced on Friday that they objected to the
\nthe recent vandalism by at least two known vigilante groups who
\nhave been conducting raids and trashing entertainment spots
\nacross Greater Jakarta during Ramadhan fasting month.<\/p>\n
Bekasi Police, which falls under the leadership of Jakarta,
\ndetained eight suspects for allegedly setting fire to several
\nwarung (small shops) suspected by the arsonists of selling liquor
\nand dealing in other vices in Bekasi on Sunday night.<\/p>\n
The Tangerang Police were also hunting for suspects involved
\nin destroying a handful of establishments, including a billiard
\nhall, in Tangerang on Thursday night.<\/p>\n
\"I have repeatedly said that only the police have the
\nauthority to raid entertainment spots that do not comply with a
\ncity bylaw and gubernatorial decree. The raids are a violation of
\nthe regulations, especially if there is vandalism and destruction
\nof property involved,\" city police spokesman Sr. Comr. Tjiptono
\nsaid on Friday.<\/p>\n
Tjiptono pointed out that the willful destruction of private
\nproperty was actually a violation of the law in Tangerang,
\nespecially since the entertainment spots were closed as the raids
\ntook place.<\/p>\n
\"They (the perpetrators) will be charged with Article 170 of
\nthe Criminal Code on openly and deliberately inciting social
\nunrest leading to destruction of other people's property,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The offense carries a maximum penalty of 5.5 years in prison.<\/p>\n
Law No. 9\/1998 stipulates that people who want to express
\ntheir opinion openly in public have to report the schedule and
\nvenue of their rally\/demonstration to the nearest police
\ndepartment.<\/p>\n
\"Groups like FPI (Islam Defenders Front) or FBR (Betawi
\nBrotherhood Forum) have never informed us of their schedule (to
\nexpress their opinion in public),\" Tjiptono added, while hinting
\nthat they were the suspects in the raids.<\/p>\n
FPI had warned that it would \"sweep\" night spots during
\nRamadhan if the operators did not comply the laws.<\/p>\n
The warning, however, was responded to in a seemingly mild way
\nby the police, who said that controlling businesses that violated
\nlaw was the police's duty.<\/p>\n
Sources at the city police revealed that the city police chief
\nInsp. Gen. Firman Gani had held several meetings with the FPI and
\nFBR. However, it was not clear what conclusions were reached
\nduring those meetings.<\/p>\n
Firman was scheduled to attend a breaking the fast gathering
\nwith some FPI leaders at a mosque in Pancoran, South Jakarta, on
\nFriday evening. But, the plan was canceled at the last minute
\nwithout explanation.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/vigilante-vandalism-rears-ugly-head-again-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}