Jl. Blora pubs raided

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)