Nightspots raided, alcoholic drinks destroyed
Damar Harsanto and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Dozens of Islam Defenders Front (FPI) members raided two entertainment spots on Jl. Daan Mogot in West Jakarta on Wednesday, destroying bottles of alcohol found at the venues.
The raid on the two live music clubs, Sahabat and Bandara, were conducted at about 10 p.m.
Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam criticized the incident, saying that both the FPI and the club management were in the wrong.
The FPI had launched a raid which was the police's authority, while the night spots had violated the recent ban on the operation of entertainment centers and restaurants during Ramadhan, said Anton.
"They (FPI) are not entitled to take the law into its own hands. Their role is limited to giving information, and then leaving the rest to the police to take the necessary action," he said.
In this case, the management of the night spots were found guilty as it sold alcoholic drinks during the Muslim fasting month, Anton added.
"We will take firm action against those who have broken the law," Anton told The Jakarta Post, adding that police feared nothing in upholding the law and dealing with those who break it.
However, so far, the police had yet to charge anyone in relation to the incident.
The decree issued by Governor Sutiyoso bans various entertainment spots like night clubs, discotheques, and massage parlors, except those parlors with blind masseurs, during the fasting month.
Certain nightspots like karaoke lounges, live music venues, cafes and bars are allowed to open from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
The decree does not explicitly ban the sale of alcohol, but it stipulates that they should comply with "religious norms".
FPI commander Al Habib Muhammad Rizieq told the Post they raided the live music spots as they opened at 6 p.m. and sold alcoholic drinks.
He criticized Anton's statement, saying the police must also be condemned as it pretended to know nothing about violations of the decree.
"Police are supposed to take legal action against those entertainment spots which do not abide by the decree, but they do not," he said.
Rizieq said the FPI has launched raids against several amusement spots including a massage parlor in Kembangan, West Jakarta, which did not abide by the decree.
Meanwhile, lawyers Tubagus Haryo Karbyanto and Apong Herlina criticized the FPI raids.
"FPI shouldn't impose double standard on the matter. They attacked the places on behalf of the law, while the attack itself is against the law," Tubagus told the Post.
Apong reiterated Tubagus' comments saying the FPI should follow legal procedures if they thought the venues were breaking the law.
"They should tell the police or public order officers about it," she said.
However, both lawyers also criticized the city administration and its weak control over decree implementation saying it had failed to close entertainment spots.
They also questioned the decree, which was confusing as it did not explicitly ban the sale of alcohol.