Eight FPI members arrested for carrying sharp weapons

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.