Anita Rachman – Indonesia's notorious Islamic Defenders Front has dismissed a demonstration against the self-styled moral crusaders planned in Jakarta today as a Western conspiracy.

Ahmad Sobri Lubis, secretary general of the organization, known as the FPI, said it was unconcerned about the planned rally by the Movement For an FPI-Free Indonesia, which has drawn strength from strong anti-FPI sentiment in Central Kalimantan. He said the Jakarta protesters was a small group paid by the West to destroy the FPI.

"They are the allies of the West and other foreign parties; Nongovernmental organizations funded by the West," Ahmad told the Jakarta Globe. "They have been holding protests to discredit the FPI and smear the organization. It's just the voice of a small number of people that have been blown up by the media."

He also accused the media of bias in its coverage of the FPI, saying the media only reported about those opposed to the group, not the supporters. "Because the power of the West holds the media very tightly," he said. "The media has become a brainwashing tool for the sake of the West."

He reiterated that he was unconcerned about the protest, saying that even if the government disbanded the FPI, it would reform with a new name. "Because the right to assemble [in an organization] is guaranteed by the law," he said.