Dessy Sagita – Human rights group Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace on Monday lambasted Islamic vigilante's plans to raid entertainment establishments in the lead-up to the holy month.

"They are civilians, they have absolutely no business in conducting any raid, Ramadan or no Ramadan, It's the police responsibility so let them do their job" said Hendardi, chairman of the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace.

The Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), the country's self-proclaimed morality police, announced on Sunday their plans to raid nightclubs and crack down on pornography retailers. Habib Salim, head of the Jakarta chapter of the FPI, said such actions were needed to "respect the holy month," which starts on Aug. 1.

The FPI chapter in Makassar, South Sulawesi, kicked off its own crackdown on Friday by visiting nightclubs in the city and warning owners to shutter their establishments a week before the start of Ramadan.

Hendardi said the police needs to be very strict because any raid conducted by civilians, let alone a group like FPI, could generate serious social unrest.

"Last year former national police chief Bambang Hendarso Danuri already stated prior to Ramadan that he would not tolerate any illegal raid and the holy month went relatively peaceful, this year the police should be even stricter," he said.

"Police is the key," he said. "If the police make a serious commitment I believe FPI or any other group wouldn't dare to act like that." Hendardi said law enforcement is the police's responsibility and the police should not let any group usurp their duties.

Last year, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that the Islamic holy month should be free of violence, calling for harmony among the country's various religious groups. "If there is any sign of violence, it should be prevented by police," he said at the State Palace.