FPI destroys 82 kiosks used for vice activities

TANGERANG (JP): Thousands of members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) burned and destroyed 82 kiosks on the Tahang riverbank in Salembaran Jati village of Kosambi district here on Monday, accusing the owners of running vice activities on their premises.

"We come here to take action against prostitution practices provided by the kiosk's proprietors," Ibnu Usman of the FPI told reporters.

The action was supported by a number of housewives, who were afraid that their husbands and youths might have visited the location.

"We're glad the places were burned down. We are concerned that they may be a bad influence to the youths," said housewife Minten.

Despite his support for the action, a community leader regretted the arson which could have claimed lives.

"I fully support actions against vice activities launched by the FPI. But they should coordinate with local authorities to avoid any brawls which can claim fatalities," said Somad, pointing to the clash between FPI members and proprietors.

Proprietors and local hoodlums at the location fought back by brandishing sharp weapons when members of the FPI started their action. This, however, provoked the activists to act more violently and all the buildings were torn down in seconds.

After all the kiosks were demolished, the angry owners tried to burn the trucks transporting FPI members, who managed to prevent this from taking place.

Kosambi district secretary, Mochammad Urif said that warning letters had been earlier sent to the kiosks' proprietors to stop their activities.

"The buildings, which lack any permits, were standing on a 2- hectare plot of land belonging to the irrigation agency," he said.

"Instead of stopping their activities, they staged a rally to protest the warning at the Kosambi district office," Urif added.

The proprietors asked the district administration not to close down their businesses.

"This is the only way to support our families because we can't find other jobs," one proprietor was quoted as saying by Urif.

The FPI launched a similar action earlier in April by attacking Balemang Cafe in Kemang, South Jakarta. The organization was also responsible for several other attacks at night entertainment spots. (nvn/41)