FPI members raid billiard parlor in Kebayoran Baru

FPI members raid billiard parlor in Kebayoran Baru

JAKARTA (JP): Armed with daggers, sickles, swords, and sticks,
some 150 members of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) attacked
and vandalized a billiard center in South Jakarta late Monday
night, leaving 25 tables, 100 pool cues, a refrigerator and
furniture badly damaged.

The raid was the latest of several carried out by FPI members
against entertainment centers, particularly discotheques which
they accuse of offering sex service and drugs.

It remained unclear why they chose to raid the Bi Pop billiard
center in Kebayoran Baru.

According to the police report, the mob arrived at about 11:30
p.m., damaged the property and immediately left the scene before
the authorities arrived.

There were no injuries reported at the incident and police, as
usual, have made no arrests.

When contacted, FPI executive Reza Pahlevi confirmed the
attack and said members would conduct more attacks on such places
during Ramadhan should the spots remain open during the Muslim
fasting month.

"We will burn those places if they insist on opening for
business," Reza said.

He said that such places would tarnish the sacredness of the
month.

"If the authorities stand in our way, so be it. If you live in
nobility, you'll die as a syuhada (a person who dies for Islam),"
Reza said.

Late last month, City Police chief Insp. Gen. Mulyono Sulaiman
guaranteed that there would be no more armed protesters on the
streets or violent groups raiding entertainment spots in the
capital.

Mulyono also promised that he and his officers would try to
maintain law and order and would take stiff measures against
violators. (jaw)