Eight FPI members arrested for carrying sharp weapons

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Eight members of the "Islam Defenders Front" (FPI) have been apprehended by West Jakarta police for carrying sharp weapons during a rally in front of the West Jakarta Police precinct on Tuesday.

Some 150 FPI members were protesting the slow pace of investigations into a clash between their group and residents of the Kalijodo red-light district in West Jakarta last Sunday, in which four FPI members were injured.

"I am very disappointed with the FPI protesters as we found them carrying weapons during their rally," West Jakarta Police precinct chief Sr. Comr. Saparuddin told reporters.

At least 30 protesters were found carrying weapons, including spears, machetes, swords and sickles, but only eight were declared suspects and detained. The rest were released after being lectured by police officers.

According to Emergency Law No. 12/1951, civilians are not permitted to carry weapons in public places.

"We have sent the suspects to City police headquarters for further questioning," Saparuddin said.

FPI members often carry weapons during rallies, but Tuesday's arrest was the first ever against the group.

Donned in white attire, FPI members arrived at the police precinct on Jl. S. Parman at 10:30 a.m. Police allowed them to hold their protest in front of compound. Shortly after, police searched the protesters and found the weapons.

FPI secretary Mahmud Nasution, who took part in the rally, said that his organization did not order the protesters to carry weapons during the rally.

"We did not anticipate this incident. We never tell our members to carry weapons during rallies. That's why we are allowing the police to further process the suspects in accordance with the prevailing regulations," Mahmud said.

FPI, which has become notorious for its raids against nightclubs and entertainment centers during the fasting month of Ramadhan over the past five years, was caught up in a clash with residents of Kalijodo early on Sunday morning when they raided bars, nightclubs and massage parlors in the area. Four FPI members were injured during the incident.

Sunday's clash was the second for the FPI, with its members also involved in a clash with residents of Jembatan Besi in West Jakarta last Friday.

According to Bylaw No. 10/2004 on tourism, nightclubs, saunas, discotheques, massage parlors, amusement centers and bars must closed during Ramadhan, which this year finishes on Nov. 2.

There are at least 1,235 registered entertainment centers across the capital, employing some 50,000 people.

Commenting on the string of raids made by the FPI, Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. I Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani had instructed all chiefs of police precincts to take sterner action against groups launching raids against entertainment centers during the fasting month.

"We have taken persuasive approaches to several groups in the community in order to prevent such raids, but it seems that a few groups have been ignoring our warnings. That's why we'll take stern action," he said.