Jakarta – Islam Defenders Front (FPI) spokesman Munarman has pointed the finger at the Democratic Party as being behind the recent anti-FPI rally in Jakarta, saying that it tried to divert public attention from corruption cases implicating the party's politicians.

"Who attended the event? [It was attended by] one of the members of Democratic Party, Ulil Abshar Abdalla. He's the one who initiated the rally. He tried to divert the public's attention from national issues," Munarman said on Friday as quoted by kompas.com.

Munarman accused the Democratic Party of taking revenge after the FPI conducted several rallies in front of the house of party chairman Anas Urbaningrum in East Jakarta, related to a corruption case that he has been implicated in.

Democratic Party lawmaker Sutan Bhatoegana denied the allegation. "It has nothing to do with diverting public attention. Munarman should not bring about the Democratic Party in this issue. Ulil did not participate on behalf of the party, let's just mind our own business," Sutan said. (nad)