Entertainment operators seek help

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)