Nightspots raided, alcoholic drinks destroyed

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.