The Jakarta Post, November 05, 2005
FPI forces Kemang eateries to close during Idul Fitri
Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
While many Jakarta residents were looking for places to eat out on the first day of Idul
Fitri on Thursday, the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) forced restaurants and cafes in
Kemang, South Jakarta, to close.
Izzi Pizza outlet in the area, for instance, had to close at 2 p.m. after a member of
FPI called them up requesting that the outlet close immediately.
"A member of the FPI came to the outlet. After that, his colleagues claimed a
higher-ranking member within the organization called us warning that if we don't close
our outlet, a group of members would come," operational manager Deni complained to
The Jakarta Post.
Worried that the organization would ransack the outlet, he said, the management
decided to close, even though it had only opened at noon.
Around the same time, other restaurants and cafes also closed.
As the outlet did not sell liquor during Ramadhan or on Thursday, he wondered why
the FPI insisted that the outlet close.
"I don't understand why we have to close our outlet during the Idul Fitri holiday. There
is no regulations requiring us to do so. All of our employees are Muslims and the
holiday is a time for them to get more tips than usual," he said.
As there are dozens of restaurants and cafes in the area, Deni said, hundreds of
employees would lose their income during Idul Fitri.
One of cafe owners in Kemang, who asked not to be identified, also complained that
they had to close the cafe after receiving a letter from FPI requiring all restaurants and
cafes in Kemang to close during Idul Fitri.
"We don't want to take any risks so we closed our cafe. However, since many cafes
and restaurant here belong to foreigners, I am worried that FPI's move will scare them
off. How many people will lose their jobs then?" the cafe owner told the Post.
He called on the authorities to clarify whether they could operate during Idul Fitri or
not to avoid a similar incident in the future.
Meanwhile, FPI's operational chief Ekajaya said that several groups in Kemang,
including restaurant and cafe owners and the local administration had agreed that all
cafes and restaurants would be closed during Idul Fitri.
"We must respect Idul Fitri. If any restaurants open on those days then they have
violated the agreement. Beside, we have a regulation prohibiting a cafe or restaurant
staying open on Idul Fitri," he told the Post while not specifying what regulation he
was referring to.
According to Bylaw No. 10/2004 on tourism, nightclubs, saunas, discotheques,
massage parlors, amusement centers and bars must be closed during Ramadhan. No
bylaw or gubernatorial decree, however, prohibits family restaurants or cafes from
staying open during Ramadhan and Idul Fitri.
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|