Dicky Christanto, Denpasar – Bali rights activists and lawmakers have praised police action in arresting Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) members for their alleged involvement in clashes last Sunday at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta.
Both activists and lawmakers demanded the government bring the case to court to discourage similar acts in the future.
"They have no right to impose their beliefs through violence and this is not the first time they have done that. The government should not hesitate to investigate the case," I Nengah Jimat of the Bali Legal Aid Institute told reporters during a rally held by rights activists outside the local council building Wednesday.
"I promise that we will closely monitor the progress of the case," he said.
Dozens of rights activists under the banner of the Alliance of Balinese Supporters for Pancasila marched to the local legislative council and administration buildings to voice their concerns over FPI members' alleged brutality.
They sang popular Indonesian folk songs, yelled out patriotic verses and gave speeches about the importance of upholding the principles of Pancasila as the national ideology and to reject acts of violence.
The alliance, which comprised student organizations, pro-bono lawyers and religious organizations, demanded the government take immediate and firm action against any organization that threatened the country's religious harmony and cultural diversity.
The Jakarta Police brought 59 FPI members, including their leader Rizieq Shihab, to Jakarta Police headquarters Wednesday morning for further questioning on their roles in the attack that left dozens of religious freedom activists injured.
The one-hour drama of police arresting the hardliners was aired nationwide by several television channels.
Jimat said this was an important test of the political will of the government, to see whether it had the courage to punish who violate the law. "If the government does not pay serious attention to this kind of matter, it will seriously threaten national unity," he said.
Several lawmakers, met with the alliance, sharing their worries about the clashes.
A Muslim lawmaker, Zubaedah, said she regretted the violence carried out by FPI activists and that the action of FPI members didn't reflect nor represent the true image of Islam as a peaceful religion. "These people are representing nothing but hate and violence and we as Indonesians have the right to say no to this behavior. Indonesia is a home for those who love peace," she said.
Local council chairman Ida Bagus Wesnawa said he agreed with the concerns of the alliance and was ready to channel their views to appropriate government officials. "But I must warn all of you not to be easily provoked by any issue that can tear down our unity as a nation, especially in these troubled times," he said.
Around 70 FPI members attacked activists of the National Alliance for the Freedom of Faith and Religion, who gathered last Sunday to commemorate the 63rd year of Pancasila state ideology. The attack left around 34 injured.