LAKSAMANA.Net, February 27, 2003 08:04 PM
Islamic Militia Group Prepares Comeback
February 27, 2003 08:04 PM
Laksamana.Net - Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the sleazy bars,
the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) has announced its comeback after halting its violent
activities in the wake of the Bali bombings.
FPI, which is notorious for trashing bars and making threats against Westerners, is
now accepting recruits and giving them “morality training”, the Associated Press
reported Thursday (27/2/03),
The news is likely to heighten fears that militant Muslim groups could stage violent
protests or go after foreigners in the event of a US-led war on Iraq.
Many embassies in Jakarta heightened security warnings after the October 12, 2002,
Bali nightclub bombings that killed more than 200 people, mostly foreign tourists.
Following its inception in late 1998, FPI has staged numerous attacks on nightclubs,
bars, cafes, massage parlors, 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, at other times in competition with police.
In addition to its raids on nightclubs, FPI has also attacked the headquarters of the
National Commission on Human Rights, lending credence to claims the radical
organization was formed and funded by senior generals.
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.
FPI leader Muhammad Rizieq Shihab was arrested on October 16 on charges of
instigating violence and vandalism. He was released on November 5, after the group
pledged to cease its attacks on entertainment venues.
The cessation of violence came soon after the disbandment of the much larger
paramilitary group, Laskar Jihad, which played a major role in religious violence that
left about 9,000 people dead in the Maluku islands.
It's widely believed that senior generals linked to Laskar Jihad and FPI had ordered
the disbandment of the two groups in an effort to distance themselves from radical
Islam.
But the Bali bombings have now been blamed on members of regional terrorism
network Jemaah Islamiyah, signaling that other extremist groups may be safe to
regroup.
Jakarta Police spokesman Colonel Prasetyo said authorities can't stop FPI from
regrouping, but would not tolerate any acts of violence or intimidation.
Siroj Alwi, head of the group's anti-vice unit, said violence would only be used against
nightspots as a last resort. "If the police do not act on our reports, what can else can
we do?'' he was quoted as saying by AP.
FPI militia commander Tubagus Sidik told The Straits Times the group had frozen its
activities in November for the sake of internal consolidation, and was now ready to
resume its fight against immorality in Jakarta.
"Right now, the focus is on re-registering our old members. We have new recruits, but
we will first screen them to prevent being infiltrated by police intelligence," he was
quoted as saying.
FPI has been widely criticized for taking the law into its own hands, but Tubagus
denied the group has done anything wrong. "We are not violent, we are just firm on
crime… If the police can shoot a criminal, then why can't we take action against those
who are poisoning our society?"
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