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| Southeast Asia |
| Islamic Defenders Front Prepares Comeback |
| 2003-02-27 |
| 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 âmorality trainingâ. 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. Looks like it's a certainty... 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. Not a surprise there, either. And this comes just after the army was bitching about the police taking over the public security role. Wotta coincidence... 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. And he was as good as his word. Here we are mostly through February, and there's been hardly anything... 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. Itâs 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. Didn't want to get rounded up with all the Islamists in the wake of the Bali bombings... 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 canât stop FPI from regrouping, but would not tolerate any acts of violence or intimidation. Since the cops are feeling their oats right now, and look good in the wake of the Bali investigations, maybe they can carry through... Siroj Alwi, head of FPI'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. Ummm... How about going to the mosque and praying for yourself and letting other people alone? 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?" Because you're not the cops? |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #1 Ah yes, "morality training" by murderers. How quaint. |
| Posted by: Spot 2003-02-27 12:41:52 |