The government has often seemed powerless in its response to small but noisy (and often violent) groups who use religion as a reason or pretext to take justice into their own hands. Such groups seem to believe using violence (in various forms) against others is OK because God is always on their side.

It has become routine for such groups to issue threats before Ramadan; that they will use force to close nightspots or entertainment activities throughout the fasting month.

However, it is also clear that by law, only police and law enforcement agencies have the right to enforce the law and government regulations.

But the controversy surrounding nightspots comes up every Ramadan (the Muslim holy month), even though there have been ordinances in Jakarta and other Indonesian regions to regulate the operation of entertainment facilities at these times.

This year, once again, members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) have threatened to ransack nightspots which remain open, particularly if police do not close them.

"If they (nightspot operators) still choose to operate (during Ramadan) we will take action against them," Bekasi FPI executive Muhammad Tamin Pardede said as quoted by the press recently.

In previous years, members of this organization went to nightspots in Greater Jakarta (and other places across Indonesia) vandalizing property and scaring entertainment facility patrons.

Whatever their reasoning, it is deplorable that there is an organization which is taking the law into their own hands. What would happen if other organizations do the same thing in response to other controversial issues?

We call on the government to make sure the leaders of this organization (and other similar groups) do not repeat their previous mistakes. These groups do not have authority to conduct these raids. Allowing such blatant disregard for the law will lead this country into a state of lawlessness.

We also hope Jakarta police spokesman Sr. Comr. I Ketut Untung Yoga Ana was sincere in his promise to "uphold the law seriously this year" – not merely providing lip service.

The police need to crack down both on people who take the law into their own hands, and on nightspots which remain open during the holy month.

In Jakarta, the city administration has imposed restrictions on nightspots during the fasting month, under the 2004 tourism bylaw. Under these regulations, entertainment centers including night clubs, discotheques, massage and sauna parlors are prohibited from operating during the fasting month. Other facilities like karaoke, live music centers and billiard halls are allowed to remain open.

Violators can face up to three months in prison and/or fines of up to Rp 5 million (US$543). The bylaw also authorizes the city administration to forcibly close any facilities which violate the ruling. Similar regulations also exist in other parts of Indonesia.

So why do the same problems keep coming back, year after year?

First, this is really a problem of law enforcement. So far, police have been hesitant to do their job, and reluctant to take action against nightspot operators who violate the regulation.

The police have also failed to take serious action against groups who illegally raid such facilities. Consequently, these groups are now daring to repeat their raids and have even launched an open threat against nightspots.

Second, we question the fairness of the ruling in the bylaw which excludes facilities operated by star-rated hotels. This has often sparked jealousy between entertainment operators.

Minorities have also questioned the fairness of the regulation because it also affects them. And why are there no such regulations exclusively for Muslims?

Take for example what happens in Malaysia. The Islamic country has gambling facilities in Genteng Highland which are only for non-Muslim communities. The Malaysian government strictly prohibits Muslims from entering these gambling dens.

As for the prohibition of nightspots during Ramadan, there is no other way but to uphold the law.

Since there are regulations in place, police must do their job to make sure the laws are enforced, otherwise this will serve as a sign that it is OK for certain groups to take the law into their own hands.