Yuli Tri Suwarni, Bandung – Despite warnings by authorities' condemning vigilantism, members of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) took to the streets in Bandung to demonstrate against consumption of alcohol, particularly during Ramadhan.

Their target were stalls selling the traditional alcoholic brew, known as tuak, near the Cibiru traffic circle, some 15 kilometers east of Bandung, where they seized at least 50 jerry cans of the beverage.

The FPI members, mostly wearing white outfits, arrived at the tuak stalls at 10:15 p.m. on Monday. They immediately entered the stalls, usually frequented by public minivan drivers of the Batak community from North Sumatra, to search for tuak.

Panyileukan Police chief Adj. Comr. Komarna said the FPI crowd handed over 30 jerry cans, most of which were already empty, as proof of the sale of alcohol at the stalls.

"We asked them to stop because the FPI should have reported the matter to us, because according to the law the police should be in front to handle the matter," Komarna told reporters in Bandung on Tuesday.

FPI members, together with police, approached a place in the Cibiru area, believed to be a tuak warehouse, at around 9:50 a.m. on Tuesday. The police seized around 20 jerry cans of tuak, most of them also empty.

No injuries occurred during the second act, but detectives from the Panyileukan Police brought a stall owner to the police station for questioning. Police called on mass organizations not to assume the duties of the police, such as raiding entertainment places and shops selling alcohol ahead of Ramadhan.

FPI field coordinator Amin said his group had carried out the "clean-up" action following reports from the community. "We hope that everyone respects the fasting month and do not engage in immoral deeds, especially during the day time," Amin said.