Arientha Primanita – Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi said on Wednesday that the hard-line Islamic Defenders Front is one violation away from having its license suspended.

The ministry, Gamawan said, issued a second letter of warning when members of the group, known as the FPI, pelted rocks at the ministry's office last month, in protest at the minister's decision to annul local bylaws banning alcohol sales. "We have issued a second warning, which is an ultimatum. If they continue their actions, we will suspend them," he said.

According to the 1985 Law on Mass Organization, the ministry monitors all civil organizations in the country and has the authority to disband a particular group that causes losses to the state.

The minister did not say what incident prompted the ministry to issue the first warning against the FPI or when. The FPI has been accused of using violent tactics to enforce their views on Shariah laws.

Last month, an FPI leader in South Sulawesi was sentenced to five months in prison for the destruction of private property during a series of FPI-sanctioned raids on food stalls and restaurants operating during the fasting month of Ramadan. But human rights activists say that cases where FPI members are brought to justice are rare.

On Tuesday, some 300 people staged a rally at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Jakarta demanding the FPI disband.

Gamawan said that despite mounting calls for the FPI to disband, his ministry needs to follow procedures stipulated by the law.

Tuesday's peaceful rally in Jakarta, organized by a group that called itself "FPI-Free Indonesia," was marred by scuffles after several people hit some rally participants and tried to steal anti-FPI banners.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said that four people had been questioned by police. One of them, identified as J., 48, had been charged under with assault under the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.

"The suspect has not been arrested because we are still investigating his role," Rikwanto said. Three other people, identified as A., 24; B., 23; and F., 44 are considered witnesses.

Rikwanto said that the four were sympathizers of the FPI but not members. "We can say that they are sympathizers because they are defended by a lawyer named Solihin," he said, saying the lawyer is known for handling FPI-related legal matters.

Organizers of Tuesday's rally said they had been inspired by Dayak tribesmen in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, who on Saturday took actions that prompted the FPI to abandon plans to open a local branch.

In response to the Palangkaraya incident, the FPI filed a police complaint against five men, including the governor and police chief, for unpleasant behavior, deprivation of freedom and destruction by a mob.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Saud Usman Nasution said on Wednesday that although the FPI had filed the report to the National Police, the case would be transferred to police in Central Kalimantan, whose chief is among those reported by the FPI.

[Additional reporting by Farouk Arnaz, Bayu Marhaenjati and Zaky Pawas.]