Nightspots vandalized for ignoring regulations

Nightspots vandalized for ignoring regulations

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Dozens of people, claiming to
be members of Laskar Jundullah, a Muslim organization, destroyed
a nightspot on Thursday for ignoring operating hours during the
Muslim fasting month.

It was the second such action by the group, having vandalized
a karaoke hall last Saturday for a similar reason.

The Muslim group claimed to be the task force of the Committee
for the Preparation of the Enforcement of Syariah Islam. It was
led by Agus Dwikarna during the pre-dawn raid on Terminal One
Cafe on Jl. Rusa.

The group smashed windows and all electronic goods in the
building, seized hundreds of bottles of liquor and scores of
pornographic compact video discs.

Agus said that the management of Terminal One had violated the
deal with the local administration. "We turned over what we
seized to the police."

The sudden raid on the three-story nightspot scared the
guests, who fled seeking safety.

Agus said that the Makassar administration and the police
should actively monitor the nightspots during the Muslim holy
month of Ramadhan. "Adamant nightspot owners will face the
people."

Ass. Supt. Idris Kadir, chief of intelligence and security at
the Makassar Police headquarters, said that taking the law into
one's hands was against the law. "We hope that Laskar Jundullah
will keep working with us in handling such cases."

On Tuesday the Muslim group marched to the Makassar mayoralty,
demanding that mayor HB Amiruddin Maula ban any entertainment
centers from operating at night during the fasting month.

"If the administration and police are too slow to act, we will
do it our own way," Agus told the mayor, citing last Saturday's
raid on Hotel Century Inn cafe.

Mayor Maula said legal actions were preferable in dealing with
the nightspots. "I will have those violating the rules punished.
I hope that you will show restraint for the sake of the people."
(27/sur)