The Jakarta Post, 6/26/2002 3:17:47 PM
FPI ransacks tourist area of Jl. Jaksa
JAKARTA (JP): After rejecting incumbent governor Sutiyoso's nomination as governor
for a second term, about 150 members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) ransacked
low-budget tourist area Jl. Jaksa in Central Jakarta.
Clad in white robes with green sarongs around their neck, the FPI members arrived at
12 a.m. in a Metromini public bus and a Kijang van.
They forced their way into several cafes, breaking bottles and destroying advertising
boards, promoting alcoholic drinks in the area.
Police officers on hand monitored their actions but since they were outnumbered by
the FPI members, they did not take any action to prevent further damage.
From Jl. Jaksa, FPI members went straight to Jl. H. Agus Salim, Central Jakarta.
Some of them were seen blocking the street. Armed with daggers and bamboo sticks,
they destroyed any advertising boards in the area that they deemed improper.
"Police were nowhere. This is not a good sign for Indonesian tourism in the future,"
tourist David Jardine told The Jakarta Post.
Earlier, the FPI members staged a rally at the City Council complex, rejecting
Sutiyoso's nomination for reelection by President Megawati Soekarnoputri's
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.
They contended that the former Jakarta Military commander allowed the spreading of
gambling practices and thuggery in the capital.
"Sutiyoso is also morally tarnished because he likes to go to amusement centers in
the evening and he is also charged with human rights violations for (his alleged
involvement) in the July 27 attack," an FPI member told detik.com internet news
portal.
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