Police fire at FPI truck after game centers attacked

Police fire at FPI truck after game centers attacked

JAKARTA (JP): Responding to criticism against their
sluggishness in enforcing the law to groups which continuously
raid entertainment centers in the capital, policemen shot at a
truck loaded with members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) who
had just vandalized entertainment centers early Monday.

A police report said that there was no injuries reported from
the shooting since the West Jakarta Police officers only shot the
tires of the truck that was used by the group in a bid to stop
it.

The group had just returned from vandalizing four game centers
at the Taman Duta Mas shopping complex in Jelambar, West Jakarta,
police report said.

The report said that some 200 members of the group arrived at
the complex at around 1 a.m. on a truck. Using several objects
which included crowbars they broke into the game centers which
were closed at the time.

"The group destroyed several poker machines in the game
centers. They also stole five air conditioners and one (drinking
water) dispenser", an officer reported.

When police officers arrived at the scene, the assailants were
holding two employees from one game center as hostage, before
trying to escape in the truck.

In an attempt to stop the truck police fired three warning
shots. The truck kept speeding until police shot the truck tires.
However, all of the group managed to escape. No arrests have been
made in connection with this incident.

FPI is known to have raided several entertainment centers on
the premise that -- as the group has claimed -- are being used
for prostitution, gambling and drug transaction places.

The group often reportedly destroys equipment in the
entertainment centers during their attacks.

Many Muslim activists, however, have showed their opposition
to FPI's way of fighting businesses they considered sinful.

Last week, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf
announced that police would no longer tolerate such unlawful acts
by FPI.

Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mulyono Sulaiman said that
Monday's shooting was the police's way to prevent any further
arbitrary unlawful acts from becoming a trend of the group.

"We don't want to be arrogant, but (the shooting) was merely
an effort to protect the people from any kind of lawless
actions," Mulyono told reporters at the Jakarta Police
Headquarters.

On Saturday night, an unidentified group attacked the Salsa
Club Cafe and the Pasir Putih Seafood Market Grill and Bar
restaurant in Kemang, South Jakarta. The attackers looted the
restaurants and stole cafe patrons belongings, including wallets
and cellular phones.

Condemnation

Separately, FPI condemned police for the shooting, saying that
the action was erroneous since the police randomly shot FPI's car
which was driving along peacefully.

"It was such an uncivilized act," FPI's chairman Rezik told a
media conference at their base in Petamburan, Central Jakarta.

Rezik said that the group had raided the game centers as they
were used for gambling. He added that the officers shot
a Kijang van, which was used by the group for "monitoring", not
the truck used to transport FPI members in the predawn raid.

Rezik said that the shooting indicated that the West Jakarta
Police condoned the businesses concerned.

He also denied that the group members had tried to steal
anything from the complex.

"It is slanderous!" Rezik said in a raised voice, adding that
the group demanded West Jakarta Police chief Supt. Iwan Nurisman
Ismet should resign for his subordinates' actions.

FPI has also filed a report at the Jakarta Police Headquarters
on the shooting.

Rezik said that FPI vowed to continue raiding entertainment
centers they believed to be used for any immoral activities.
(jaw)