'Why don't the groups raid gambling dens?'

After five days of relative silence, the Jakarta Police claimed they knew of four suspects involved in the attack against Star Deli bar/restaurant in Kemang, South Jakarta, on Oct. 22. However, they are still roaming freely on the streets. The Jakarta Post asked some residents about their views on the issue.

Iskandar, 42, is a taxi driver. He lives with his family in Cileungsi, Bekasi:

Why do these mobs raid places like restaurants, bars and billiard halls? Why not gambling dens? I have witnessed with my own eyes, some gambling dens like that in Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta, which have been openly operating during Ramadhan.

However, such raids just make life harder for me. I usually am able to get lots of passengers in bustling nightspot areas, even during Ramadhan, but now I can only expect to find passengers at hospitals.

Islam never teaches us to conduct violence. In his fight to propagate Islam, Prophet Muhammad always showed his kind heart and manners to all people despite their religion or belief system.

Leni Dwianti, 36, is a private English teacher. She lives in Puri Serpong housing complex in Tangerang:

First of all, I must say that such actions by these groups of people against nightspots is deplorable because they have taken the law into their own hands. Whatever their reasons, such an attack is unacceptable.

Therefore, the police must take action against them. I cannot understand why this is still allowed to happen? I think the police must immediately stop their violence, otherwise the group will continue their vandalism.

At the same time, the police must also monitor the operation of nightspots so those places do not violate any regulations on opening hours. They must punish operators of the entertainment centers that violate the law.

--The Jakarta Post