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".