Nightspot owners say they will fight back

Nightspot owners say they will fight back

JAKARTA (JP): Nightspot owners pledged on Monday to get tough,
saying they would hire 1,000 private guards to combat the spate
of attacks by radical religious groups.

The secretary-general of the Association of Nightspot
Operators, Adrian Maelite, said the civilian guards would consist
of security guards already employed at nightspots and residents
living near the entertainment spots.

Adiran said the private security guards would receive special
training from police on Nov. 20, "so they will not act brutally
against these groups (of attackers)".

He contended that nightspot owners were forced to take this
measure because police had done little to ensure the safety of
their establishments from repeated mob attacks.

"For about the last eight months, we have been receiving
pressure from a radical group. Many of our places have been
raided and attacked by a certain group and the police never
arrest anyone in these incidents," Adrian said.

Adrian's remarks come in the wake of recurring attacks by
religious groups on establishments which the groups claim are a
source of prostitution and drugs.

The latest attack occurred at JJ Duit in Central Jakarta on
Sunday. In this incident, a mob claiming to be from the Front
Hizbullah vandalized the club. The attackers departed before the
police arrived.

Many anticipate the situation will heat up when the fasting
month of Ramadhan begins. Several groups have demanded that
nightspots remain closed during the month.

Adrian and managers of large entertainment spots in the
capital, including Raja Mas discotheque and Stadium nightclub in
West Jakarta, along with the management of JJ Duit, aired their
grievances during a meeting with Governor Sutiyoso on Monday.

They demanded the governor ensure security, claiming they had
already received threats that their businesses would be torched
if they remained open during the fasting month.

Adrian said he also reported to the governor the presence of
leaflets, said to be distributed by the Islamic Defenders Front
(FPI), calling Sutiyoso a "Little Tyrant" for not being willing
to close the nightspots.

"They also distributed papers demanding we agree to close down
during the fasting month," Adrian added.

City spokesman Muhayat said the city administration sent an
official letter on Monday to Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen.
Muljono Sulaiman asking police to take stern measures against
groups distributing "provocative" leaflets.

Money

Inside sources told The Jakarta Post these religious groups
often blackmailed nightspot owners.

"They once asked me, through a messenger, for Rp 40 million
(US$4,300) to keep them from raiding my place. Of course, I
refused to give them the money because it would not solve the
problem as they would come back for more," the source said.

"They often come to my office for money. Although they do not
say it straight out, I know they want it," the source added.

Another source confirmed this, saying some nightspot owners
who were willing to pay usually were able to keep their
businesses open during the Islamic holidays.

"They pay around Rp 50 million each time the group comes and
asks for money, so these places never receive any threats from
them," the source said.

When contacted by the Post on Monday, FPI South Jakarta
coordinator Jaffar Sidiq admitted his group had distributed the
leaflets, and said they would not hesitate to follow through with
their threats if Sutiyoso allowed the nightspots to remain open
during Ramadhan.

"Yes, we are ready to burn these places down because we will
do anything to prevent a disturbance of the holy month. If
Sutiyoso allows these places to stay open, he is going against
the will of Muslims," he charged.

Jaffar contended some nightspots operators already had stated
their willingness to close down during the fasting month, so it
was up to the governor to make the final decision.

When asked about the reported "extortion", Jaffar said his
group was often accused of such activities, but maintained FPI
members never engaged in blackmail.

"We want to eliminate these places and it is haram (forbidden
by Islamic law) to take money from them. People intentionally
spread negative stories about us to tarnish our image," Jaffar
maintained. (dja)