Militant FPI decides to call it a day
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Following on the heels of the self-dissolution of Laskar Jihad just three weeks ago, another extremist militant group, the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) followed suit on Wednesday in efforts to refrain from further tarnishing the image of Islam after the alleged involvement of Muslim activists in a string of violence in recent years.
The dissolution of FPI and its branches throughout the country was announced to the public by FPI leader Sobri Lubis at the group's headquarters in Central Jakarta on Wednesday evening.
"We've decided to freeze all of our affiliated organizations under FPI throughout Indonesia for an indefinite time," he said.
Sobri said the decision was made partly "to protect Islam's image," but many believe that the decision had a lot to do with the mounting pressure following the arrest of its chairman, Al Habib Rizieq Shihab, who was charged for instigating violence and vandalism at nightspots and entertainment centers across Jakarta over past three years.
Laskar Jihad also apparently froze operations across the country following the arrest of its chairman, Jafar Umar Thalib, who was charged with defaming President Megawati Soekarnoputri and inciting people to violence during a mass gathering in war- torn Maluku in July. Its members were believed to have been involved in a series of deadly attacks on Christian civilians in Maluku as well as in Poso, Central Sulawesi.
Meanwhile, Al Habib Ahmad Nizar, head of the advisory board of the National Defenders Front (FPB), hailed FPI's dissolution citing that it was the right decision at present.
"That's a good decision. It is timely for FPI to disband as the public does not want to see FPI stir up more trouble with its violent behavior in an already chaotic situation in Indonesia," said Ahmad Nizar, popularly known as Habib Aan.
Habib Aan said the FPI dissolution would also help Islam's image which was tarnished by the violent raids conducted by FPI during the past three years.
The government has been under international pressure to crack down on radical groups amid concerns that Indonesia may have become a haven for terrorist groups following the Bali bombing that killed more than 190 people, mostly foreigners, and injured more than 320 others.
In another development, the police also shifted Rizieq's status to house arrest from police detention after they completed the suspect's dossier.
"The detention of Rizieq was made for investigation purposes. So we will release him now ... as the investigation is complete," said Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara, adding that police had submitted the dossiers to the government prosecutor's office for further processing.
Rizieq was arrested on Oct. 16 for inciting his followers to attack and vandalize several nightspots, cafes and bars across the capital, accusing them of sin. Rizieq's group is notorious for its violent raids on entertainment centers especially during the fasting month of Ramadhan.
Meanwhile, FPI lawyer Sugito said FPI would no longer use violence in its campaign against vice.
"My client thinks that clashes that happened in the past have given the group a bad name and become counter-productive," Sugito told AFP.
"FPI will not stop fighting for truth but they will do it in an effective way and without violating the law," he said.