Seven injured in FPI attack on Tebet cafes, bars

Seven injured in FPI attack on Tebet cafes, bars

JAKARTA (JP): Seven people, including four women, were
accosted when some 100 members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI)
attacked cafes and bars in Tebet, South Jakarta, on Friday
evening, a police officer said on Saturday.

Tebet Police chief of detectives First Insp. Supangat said
three men -- Satim, Taat and Kokom -- suffered cuts to their
heads during the attack.

He also said three of the women victims, identified as Uum,
Iin and Icih, received slight injuries when they attempted to
escape from the mob.

FPI members shaved the head of the other woman victim,
identified as Tina, the officer said.

According to Supangat, his men had no information on the
current status of the victims because the case was still under
investigation. He added that police have made no arrests in
connection with the attack.

By law, under no circumstances are civilians allowed to
conduct such attacks on places of business.

Supangat said at least eight people had been questioned as
witnesses in connection with the incident.

He confirmed none of those questioned were from the FPI, but
were guests and employees of the Moon Cafe and Bar, one of the
establishments on Jl. Dr. Sahardjo which was attacked.

"The FPI members raided the cafes and bars in the area because
they suspected those places were allowing activities related to
vice to take place inside the buildings," he said.

The seven injured in the attack were released from the
hospital after receiving treatment.

Supangat said the victims were accosted as they attempted to
flee the building.

During preliminary questioning, the eight witnesses told
police investigators they were unsure what was happening when the
FPI members first entered the premises.

"They just saw the people were wearing clothes with the
acronym FPI printed on them," he said.

Separately, FPI secretary Reza Pahlevi confirmed the attack on
Friday was the work of the organization's members.

"We observed the area previously and later identified several
bars and cafes as our target since these places were used for
vice activities," Reza told The Jakarta Post over the phone on
Saturday.

But he denied any of the members were involved in violence,
adding the police had yet to contact him about the matter.

"I'll check the information. And if we find some people were
injured during the raid, we'll look into whether the attackers
were really FPI members," Reza said.

He said he suspected several local residents took part in the
raids.

But Reza added he could understand the anger of the FPI
members, since the organization had issued at least three warning
letters to the owners of the nightspots prior to the raid.

"FPI members have been monitoring Cafe Kawanua on Jl. Dr.
Sahardjo because it has been raided three times but has persisted
in resuming its vice activities," he said.

Reza said the organization did not believe the public
disapproved of its activities, saying that only the operators of
establishments involved in illegal activities opposed the FPI's
raids because they could harm their businesses.

"We have to differentiate the public reaction. Those who
oppose our actions are those who have been linked with vice, such
as drinking, drugs and prostitution," he said. (lup)