The Straits Times, Thursday February 27, 2003
'Moral militants' set to strike again
Islamic Defenders Front is to resume targeting nightspots in Jakarta, which it
considers dens of sins
[Photo: The FPI's plans to revive its campaign come amid fears that radical Islamic
groups in Indonesia are planning violent protests in the event of a US-led attack on
Iraq. -- JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK]
By Devi Asmarani
JAKARTA - A radical Islamic group has revived its paramilitary wing, recruiting new
members and getting ready to restart its 'battle against immorality' that targets
nightspots across the capital.
But economic rather than religious reasons may be behind the decision of the Islamic
Defenders Front (FPI) to resume its much-feared activities.
The group was disbanded in November following the arrest of its leader Habib Rizieq
Shihab.
The announcement comes amid fears that radical Islamic groups in Indonesia were
planning to organise violent protests or target foreigners in the event of an attack on
Iraq by the United States.
Registration for the group started on Feb 19, just days before seven of its senior
members are scheduled for release from a four-month jail term.
Already, nearly 100 people have signed up, the group's official said.
FPI Militia Commander Tubagus Sidik told The Straits Times: '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 said the militia decided to regroup recently to continue its sacred mission to fight
immorality in the capital.
Members will have to take religious lessons to prepare themselves spiritually, he said.
'We froze our activities in November because we needed to consolidate internally, now
we feel it's a good time to restart,' he said.
The group is feared for the damage its members inflict when on their raids of
nightclubs, massage parlours and pool halls which they consider dens of sins.
Last year, Habib Rizieq was detained for allegedly instigating violence. The group was
disbanded shortly after and The Straits Times understands that it was one of the
conditions for his release from jail.
Already, the police have warned FPI against violent raids, but the group maintains its
members have never done anything wrong to begin with.
'We are not violent, we are just firm on crime,' said Tubagus.
'If the police can shoot a criminal, then why can't we take action against those who
are poisoning our society?'
But many people are suspicious of the motive behind the group's revival. Some
nightclub operators have complained that the group used intimidation to extort money
from them.
A police source told The Straits Times: 'FPI's suspension has hurt the income of its
members, and now that the government is more relaxed on these militant groups, it's
time for them to come out.'
International pressure forced Jakarta to take a tough stand last year against radical
Muslim groups, which have emerged since the country's reform movement in 1999.
Another militia, the Laskar Jihad, was also disbanded shortly after the Bali bombing in
October.
Muslim scholar Khamami Zada, who published a book on radical groups in Indonesia,
said: 'FPI and Laskar Jihad disbanded to distance themselves from terror groups
behind the Bali blasts and other attacks.
'Now that the police have found the masterminds of these attacks, they feel safe to
strike again,' he told The Straits Times.
Police have arrested more than a dozen suspects in the Bali blasts.
But Mr Khamami said the government should continue to rein in FPI and other radical
groups, as they pose a threat to democracy and civil order in the country.
Established in 1998 to support the re-election attempt of then president B.J. Habibie,
FPI was said to be closely linked to some military and police officers, including former
armed forces chief Wiranto, he said.
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