Carlos Paath & Ezra Sihite – Any mass organization that engages in violence and vandalism should be brought to justice, a senior government minister has said days after a deadly raid on an alleged Central Java brothel by the hard-line Islamic Defenders Front.
"Arrest them, drag them to court and punish them if they vandalize property. It's as simple as that," Coordinating Minister for Political, Justice and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto said at the State Palace on Tuesday.
He added that individuals and groups should be sanctioned regardless of their background.
The minister said that under the recently introduced Mass Organizations Law, the Home Affairs Ministry can suspend mass organizations involved in violence. He added that authorities need to enforce the law to maintain public order.
Djoko's remarks follow a raid on Thursday by the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) that escalated into a violent confrontation with hundreds of local residents in Kendal, Central Java. One person died in the violence fueling public anger and prompting calls to disband the hard-line Islamic group.
But Hayono Isman, a lawmaker from the House of Representatives, said only courts, and not the government, had the authority to disband a mass organization.
"[The authority] to disband lies in the hands of the court, not the ruler. The government cannot disband any mass organization unless through the court," Hayono said at the parliament building on Tuesday.
He added that the government has instructed law enforcement bodies to take action against violators. "It was clear that the president has instructed the National Police chief to take firm action against whomever is guilty, regardless of who they are," he said.
National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo said on Monday that the police will legally process the violators in the Kendal incident. The police have named as suspects two FPI members, for possession of sharp weapons, and four local residents, for the vandalizing of FPI vehicles.
President speaks up
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Sunday criticized the FPI's actions and said he would not tolerate the acts of violence that occurred on Thursday.
"My position is very clear – we will not give any form of tolerance," the president said in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Sunday. "This has to be prevented so that no other entities, including the FPI, engage in any more violence."
He commended the police's response during the incident and condemned religiously motivated violence.
"If the violence was in the name of Islam, that is against Islam itself," Yudhoyono said. "Islam is not compatible with violence, vigilantism and destructive acts. If there is an individual who has engaged in violence, he has embarrassed and hurt Islam."
Yudhoyono also called on the public to remain calm.
FPI leader Rizieq Syihab called the president a "loser" for criticizing his group and denied that the hard-line organization committed any wrongdoing.
Rizieq on Monday said that none of the FPI members were armed when they conducted "peaceful monitoring" of an alleged brothel in Kendal.
"The FPI was not playing judge. We came to the [Kendal Police] and asked that the prostitution parlor be shut, especially since it's Ramadan now," Rizieq said in a statement.
"In Kendal, the FPI was the victim and not the perpetrator. It was the FPI who was victimized by hundreds of armed thugs at the brothel." At least two FPI members were reportedly beaten by the angry mob, while several cars being used by the group were torched at the scene.
"It's a pity. SBY appears to be... a mere loser who likes spreading lies and being silent about sinful activities. Not to mention, he's been protecting the Ahmadiyah and individuals involved in various corruption scandals. This Muslim president is a disgrace to Islamic teachings," Rizieq said.
Rizieq further accused Yudhoyono of believing media reports that Rizieq claimed had failed to accurately depict what happened during the Kendal clash.
'Irrational' FPI
Ramadhan Pohan, the deputy chairman of House Commission I, lashed out at Rizieq for calling the president a loser, saying that he was being irrational.
"Calling the Indonesian president a loser just because he made a criticism shows that FPI is irrational. FPI cannot challenge the president who is speaking on behalf of all groups. Rizieq gave a wrong reaction," Ramadhan said on Tuesday.
"The clash in Kendal occurred during the holy month. FPI conducted the provocative raid. FPI clashed with the local residents. A local woman who knew nothing got killed. We must show our concern."
He added that Islam is a peaceful religion, not provocative and violent. He called on the FPI and Rizieq to retract his insults directed at the president.
"In the month of Ramadan, Muslims usually ask for forgiveness when they make a mistake. Rizieq Shihab's remarks toward the president are counterproductive for the FPI," Pohan said.
Yudhoyono lamented how Islam is sometimes associated with violence. Indonesia can set a good example by showing that Islam is a peaceful religion for all, he said.
The president cited a former religious affairs minister's conversation with an Arab leader who criticized the violence and vandalism often committed by hard-liners.
The Arab leader said that such actions could hurt the image of Islam and Arabs. "Let's make the followers understand what real Islam is teaching," the president added.
Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam called on the FPI to reassess its actions and reminded them that the president represented the people.
Dipo added that the president was elected by the people and the government was set up constitutionally and therefore the FPI should comply with and respect the government.
Dipo said the president regretted the FPI's clash with the local residents in Kendal and his reaction was an attempt to encourage people to respect each other. "The people can judge for themselves whether the president made a defamatory statement. I think not," Dipo said.