Jl. Blora pubs raided

JAKARTA (JP): Some 200 armed men attired in Muslim clothes stormed six pubs along Jl. Blora in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Friday afternoon, shattering windows and damaging billboards, lights and several billiard tables.

Local police are investigating the attack, for which people claiming to be members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) claimed responsibility. No fatalities were reported

Upset with the illegal raid by civilians, the Indonesian Association of Entertainment Businesses Operators (Aspehindo) plans to file a complaint with the Jakarta Police, asking the officers to arrest the FPI members.

Otherwise, Aspehindo executive Andrian Maelite said, the association members would teach a lesson to the FPI members, who reported raided a number of entertainment spots in the city on previous occasions.

"We are ready to fight with FPI. If the police can't catch the attackers (from FPI) within three days, we will attack the FPI's headquarters," said Andrian, who is also a co-owner of one of the damaged pubs.

Witnesses said the attackers, armed with machetes and wooden sticks, arrived at the scene at about 3:30 p.m. when the pubs, namely D&D, Asmoro, Cagar Alam, LoneStar, Puspita and Nirwana, had just opened for business.

According to chief of Menteng Police subprecinct Ass. Supt. Paulus Waterpouw, the attack was triggered by advertising boards in front of the pubs which promote, among other things, alcoholic beverages.

"The group had protested earlier, but got no respond from the pub operators," Waterpouw was quoted by Antara as saying.

The arrival of the attackers forced a few guests and employees to hastily leave the places. (07)