U.S. embassy issues caution for pubgoers

U.S. embassy issues caution for pubgoers

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The U.S. embassy in Jakarta has warned American expatriates and
tourists to take precautions against possible attacks on
nightspots during Ramadhan.

"The U.S. embassy cautions American citizens to avoid
standalone bars, clubs or nightclubs where similar acts of
violence may be repeated," the embassy said in a statement,
issued late on Saturday.

The warning was a response to a string of attacks against
several establishments in Greater Jakarta since the beginning of
Ramadhan on Oct. 15.

The Islam Defenders Front (FPI) vowed to continue raiding
nightspots during Ramadhan, and said it was necessary because the
authorities had turned a blind eye to the operation of some
nightspots. The FPI apparently believes that such establishments
are immoral and thus particularly offensive during the holy
month.

The police and the government had not commented on or done
much about the FPI's actions until this past weekend, after the
FPI attacked Star Deli bar/restaurant in Kemang, South Jakarta.

Although the restaurant had already closed and was not
violating any city bylaws, FPI attackers still smashed up the
place, which is a popular spot for expatriates.

FPI's action was criticized by new Coordinating Minister for
Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo A. S., who
reiterated that "only the police have the authority to take legal
measures" against violators of a law.

"Leave the matter to the police," he said after holding the
first coordinating meeting on political, legal and security
affairs on Sunday.

Responding to the U.S. embassy's warning, Widodo said the
government was responsible for protecting both foreign and
Indonesian residents in the country.

Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani reacted to the FPI
violence by deploying 1,100 officers over the weekend to patrol
the streets. He said the vandalism was "out of line" and
definitely a violation of the law.

Separately, an FPI spokesperson, Alwi, said the his group had
apologized to the city police chief for destroying nightspots.

"We did our actions because we saw the police have done
nothing towards the nightspots," he was quoted as saying by
tempointeraktif.com. "The police should not only protect the
nightspot owners, but also protect our rights to oversee public
morality."

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) also came out with a
statement on the FPI, saying their actions "would tarnish the
reputation of Islam".