Bayu Marhaenjati – The Islamic Defenders Front says it will persist with a campaign to close down all convenience stores that sell alcoholic beverages, after a bid to shut down a 7-Eleven outlet in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, was blocked by police on Saturday.
The hard-line group known as the FPI defended its move, proclaiming that the convenience store was selling booze.
FPI Jakarta chairman Salim Alatas claimed that the local residents there were all opposed to the presence of the newly opened store on Jalan Pejaten Raya, which he said was operating without a proper license or the local community's consent.
"It's not only about permits. Selling beer or alcohol is prohibited. That's why we tried to seal it off," Salim said.
The FPI chief said his group planned to cordone off all 7-Eleven outlets and other convenience stores selling alcohol. "All of [them]. Those that sell alcohol will be sealed off," he said.
Sr. Comr. Rikwanto, a spokesman for the Jakarta Police, vowed on Monday that police would prevent any move by the FPI or other groups to take the law into their own hands. "We don't care who it is, we will act against those who break the law," he said.
The incident on Sunday was just the latest example of the FPI acting as the country's morality police. For years the hard-liners have attacked legitimate businesses and people they deem to be violating Islamic law.
On Saturday, a mob of around 20 men from the Jati Padang chapter of the FPI stormed the 7-Eleven outlet at 10:15 p.m. and demanded that the staff shut it down.
Police quickly broke up the illegal occupation, but the group, led by a cleric identified as Herianudin, managed to stick up a poster that read "This building has been sealed off by the people of Pejaten Barat/Jati Padang because it doesn't have a building permit, business permit or approval from the local community."
The FPI members then rode in a motorcycle convoy to a nightclub on Jalan Raya Tanjung Barat. The establishment was closed, but the mob still attempted to get inside. They were prevented from doing so by the police.
Comr. Adri Desas Furianto, the Pasar Minggu Police chief, said on Sunday that the FPI and representatives from the targeted businesses would meet on Monday at the Pasar Minggu subdistrict office to discuss their grievances.
Officials from Modern Putra, owners the 7-Eleven franchise in Indonesia, declined to comment on the FPI's stunt.