LAKSAMANA.Net, March 19, 2003 05:50 PM
FPI Tells Westerners to Leave Indonesia
Laksamana.Net - The radical Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), notorious for attacking
Jakarta nightspots, has told Americans, Britons and Australians to leave Indonesia
before US-led forces invade Iraq.
FPI has labeled citizens from countries that have joined the pro-war coalition as kafir
harbi, an Arabic term used to refer to non-Muslims (specifically 'belligerent infidels')
who can be legally killed, the Australian Associated Press reported Wednesday
(19/3/03).
Meanwhile, the youth wing of the nation's biggest Muslim organization Nahdlatul
Ulama (NU), Ansor, has threatened to expel US and allied diplomats from Indonesia,
and called for a national boycott of American products and companies.
FPI was founded in late 1998 and allegedly received financial backing from senior
generals close to ex-president Suharto seeking to use Muslim fundamentalism to
counter pro-democracy protests.
The organization has launched numerous attacks in Jakarta on nightclubs, bars, pool
halls and other entertainment venues deemed an affront to Islam. Sources say the
vigilantes are involved in protection rackets, sometimes in cahoots with police and at
other times in competition with police.
FPI went into a period of hibernation following the October 2002 Bali bombings that
killed more than 200 people, mostly Westerners, but in February 2003 announced it
was making a comeback.
The group's latest warning raises questions over pledges by the government and
police to maintain peace and protect Western embassies and citizens from terrorist
threats.
"When the attack happens the allies will face thousands of new Osama bin Ladens
who will destroy US interests around the world," FPI chairman Habib Rizieq Shihab
was quoted as saying by AAP.
Rizieq acknowledged that many Westerners are opposed to an Iraq war and said he
had seen news from Australia of anti-war protests and from England of Robin Cook's
decision to resign from cabinet in protest against British Prime Minister Tony Blair's
position on Iraq.
"Not all [allied] citizens are bad, that's why we will give them warning for their safety to
leave Indonesia immediately," he was quoted as saying by AAP.
After the US-led strikes on Afghanistan in late 2001, FPI and other radical groups
threatened to round up and expel Americans and their allies, although no foreigners
were ever attacked or forced to leave the country. However, the group continued to
vandalize nightspots, including bars frequented by Westerners.
Despite the FPI's latest threat, there are so far no signs of a mass exodus of
Americans, Britons and Australians.
"We'll stick it out and just pray that it's a short war with minimum civilian casualties,"
said a British expatriate in Central Jakarta.
"But if they do start to attack Westerners it might be prudent to consider leaving," he
added.
An American schoolteacher in Jakarta said he would leave if authorities fail to protect
Westerners from possible attacks.
"If the government and police cannot or will not protect foreigners from creeps like the
FPI, then Indonesia can get stuffed. I'm outta here," he said.
'Forced Expulsions'
Ansor spokesman Munawar Fuad Noeh said that if American and allied diplomats do
not leave Indonesia voluntarily within 48 hours from the start of any attack on Iraq they
risk being forcibly expelled.
"Ansor will demand the expulsion of US diplomats and government representatives
and also those of its allies," he was quoted as saying by Agence France Presse.
He said Ansor would also try to close down all American companies operating in
Indonesia and commence a national boycott of American products.
"This decision did not come from Ansor itself but following intensive discussions with
other youth and religious groups and leaders," Noeh was quoted as saying by AFP.
"Washington should realize that these antiwar sentiments are not just small ripples
that it can ignore. You go and make war and you will see what you will reap," he
added.
Jakarta Security
National Police chief General Dai Bachtiar has said his entire force of 250,000 officers
is ready to maintain peace, while security will be tightened at Western embassies in
Jakarta.
Jakarta Police spokesman Prasetyo on Wednesday said the city has been put on
alert and security had been increased at US interests and those of its allies.
"We decided on the alert two days ago. We also increased security at embassies
and property belonging to the United States, Britain, Australia, Spain and Portugal,"
he was quoted as saying by The Jakarta Post.
He said police would also boost security at hotels, malls, international schools and
offices of foreign companies.
McProtest
Members of the Islamic Youth Movement on Wednesday rallied outside the
McDonald's restaurant at the Sarinah shopping complex in Central Jakarta and
prevented people from entering the fast-food outlet.
The peaceful protest lasted only 10 minutes and the youths then moved to the nearby
US Embassy, where they set fire to tires and made anti-war speeches.
"America is the real terrorist," said one protestor.
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