FPI destroys 82 kiosks used for vice activities
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)