Jakarta – Civil rights activists grouped under the banner "Indonesia-without-the-FPI" said on Sunday that they would attempt to deter further acceleration of the FPI movement.
The Islam Defenders Front (FPI) is widely known for its use of violence in pushing its ideas to the public.
"As the [anti-FPI] movement was born on the Internet, we will continue our campaign online. It will be done through Twitter, through blogging and other social media tools," movement volunteer Shinte Galeshka told The Jakarta Post.
The group created their blog over the weekend and it can be accessed through indonesiatanpafpi.wordpress.com. The group posted its first writing on Sunday, detailing its history and its mission, among other things.
The group has also created a Twitter account @indtanpafpi, which has been active since Feb. 19. In the first week since its inception, the account has found 700 followers.
The movement first made national headlines last week after they staged a rally around the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle on Feb. 14, demanding the government disband the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI).
The protest took a violent turn when one of its coordinators, identified as Bhagavad Sambada, was attacked by a man later identified as J. J then grabbed one of the protester's banners and trampled on it, inciting anger among many protesters. Along with three other men, J was then arrested by the police and was charged under Criminal Code Article 170 on forceful attack with the intent to inflict harm. All four men were later identified as FPI sympathizers.
Bhagavad said on Sunday that the movement had spread to other cities across Indonesia. He cited the anti-violence protest held in Surabaya on Friday, where dozens of local residents staged a demonstration in front of the Surabaya Zoo to reject acts of violence in the name of religion.
"The snowball has rolled and it is getting bigger. The movement will be more widespread and will be unstoppable," said Bhagavad.
Women's rights activist Mariana Amirudin, who also serves as the movement's spokesperson, said that the campaign against violent groups must be conducted peacefully. "We want to raise everyone's awareness that violence is unjustifiable under any circumstances. We don't want to hurt anyone. All protests must not resort to violence," Mariana said.
In addition, Shinte said that all Jakartans must stand up and reject acts of vigilantism that have been shown by mass organizations. "End the silence. End the ignorance. Every time we do not say anything, it is the same as condoning what these vigilantes are doing. If the police are deemed ineffective in solving problems, the public must put them under pressure instead of taking justice into their own hands," he added.
The FPI is a notorious hard-line group known for its violent crackdowns on nightclubs and massage parlors, which it deems as "sinful places."
The Palangkaraya people in Central Kalimantan recently rejected the opening of FPI chapter in the city by staging a protest at Tjilik Riwut Airport. They rejected the scheduled-arrival of four FPI leaders who expected to inaugurate the branch's executive board. (mim)