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The Jakarta Post


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.

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