Indonesians have seen enough violence inflicted by the Islamic Defenders Front, or FPI, and witnessed their seeming legal impunity.

For years, the militant group has roamed freely across the country, taking the law into their own hands, and acting as if they are above the law. Similar to terrorist organizations, they have hijacked Islam, and misused the religion for their own self-serving goals, or more specifically, for cash.

Self-purportedly on behalf of Islam, this group has attacked innocent, law-abiding citizens – who pay taxes to the state for security and legal protection – almost without resistance from authorities.

The FPI has become a tool for politicians and businesspeople alike who are willing to pay them. They continuously attack minority groups, rampage against restaurants and cafes and force residents to vacate property to be replaced by housing complexes or apartments.

The FPI has become a threat to our pluralistic society, as minority groups and the general public are under constant threat.

A violent demonstration against the installment of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, or Ahok, on Friday as the Jakarta governor – to replace President-elect Joko Widodo – just because he is Christian and of Chinese descent, showed their true colors yet again.

More than a dozen police officers were injured when FPI members threw rocks at them, and one officer even suffered sword cuts to his arms.

This should be the FPI's last act of violence. We should stand firmly behind Ahok, who is calling for the organization to be forever disbanded.

Police rhetoric stating they will arrest one of the FPI leaders responsible for the incident will no longer be enough. For too long, we have been an international laughing stock, for our inability to enforce the law against this menacing organization.

Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/opinion/editorial-support-ahok-end-fpis-reign-terror/