Entertainment operators seek help

JAKARTA (JP): Following a number of civilian attacks on entertainment establishments, operators sought help from the City Council on Wednesday.

Secretary General of the Indonesian Association of Entertainment Business Operators (Aspehindo), Andrian Maelite said that the attacks had disturbed their operations and caused restlessness among the businessmen.

"Our businesses are legal," Andrian said, adding that owners had permits and paid taxes.

The association represents some 200 entertainment businessmen in the capital, such as pubs, night clubs, and discotheques.

In the past few years there have been a number of raids by either residents near entertainment establishments or gangs saying they are representing Muslims.

Andrian said the attacks had damaged facilities, causing significant losses apart from threats to employees and customers.

On Friday afternoon some 200 men stormed six pubs along Jl. Blora in Menteng, Central Jakarta when the pubs had just opened for business.

The attackers, claiming to be members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and armed with machetes and sticks, shattered windows and damaged billboards, lights and billiard tables in the pubs.

FPI demanded that the pubs close on Thursday nights and Friday, when Muslims conduct weekly mass prayers. Police said the raid was triggered by a billboard outside the pub advertising liquor.

Andrian said the association had filed a complaint with the Jakarta Police, asking the officers to protect their businesses and arrest the FPI members.

"The raid was an illegal act of destruction. The police should have arrested those attackers on the scene. There was no need to wait for our report," said Andrian.

Association members said earlier they would attack FPI's headquarters if the police did not arrest the attackers within three days from Friday.

The police said an investigation would be started, after which Andrian said the planned attack would be delayed.

"Meanwhile we have prepared some 1,000 security personnel to anticipate such raids," Andrian said.

Satunet.com reported on Wednesday that another Islamic organization, Kiblat, also came to the City Council on the same day. They said civilian raids involving violence were against Islamic norms.

The website did not disclose Kiblat's ties with the business association. (07)