Police pursuing five suspects in FPI attack on Monas rally

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 06/03/2008 1:06 AM  |  Headlines

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: University students (photo, above) stage a rally in Cirebon, West Java, on Tuesday, urging the government to disband the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI). National Police detective chief Comr. Gen. (JP/Nana Rukmana) ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: University students (photo, above) stage a rally in Cirebon, West Java, on Tuesday, urging the government to disband the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI). (JP/Nana Rukmana)

National Police detective chief Comr. Gen. Bambang Hendarso Dahuri briefs reporters in Jakarta on Monday on the investigation on the attacks of FPI members against supporters of the National Alliance for Religious and Faith Freedom (AKKBB). (JP/P.J. Leo)National Police detective chief Comr. Gen. Bambang Hendarso Dahuri briefs reporters in Jakarta on Monday on the investigation on the attacks of FPI members against supporters of the National Alliance for Religious and Faith Freedom (AKKBB). (JP/P.J. Leo)

Police are pursuing five men wanted for their roles in Sunday's attack of National Alliance for the Freedom of Faith and Religion (AKKBB) activists at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta.

"We are in the process of arresting the five suspects," Sr. Comr. Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said here Monday.

He said the police, who had yet to arrest anyone as of Monday night, were also gathering evidence to determine who committed violent acts during the clash.

Earlier on Monday, Islamic Troop Command (KLI) spokesman Munarman told reporters he was the leader of the attack and blamed the alliance for triggering the clash.

"They wanted it to happen because they spread their wrongful accusations against us in the newspapers," he told a press conference at the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) headquarters in Petamburan, West Jakarta.

"We are defending Islam and the government should ban Ahmadiyah. The clash in Monas is just an initial warning to whoever supports Ahmadiyah. I have prepared my people for a possible long-term war," said the former chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI).

Munarman said the KLI consisted of multiple Islamic fronts in Indonesia, but declined to name which ones.

At least 34 people were injured during the clash at Monas on Sunday, when the AKKBB intended to stage a rally in support of Ahmadiyah followers and also commemorate the 63rd anniversary of Pancasila state ideology.

One of the victims, Mohammad Guntur Romli, had to undergo surgery for a fractured cheek bone and broken nose after he was beaten with bamboo sticks while trying to protect a woman next to him.

"The government should ban the FPI for their violence," the writer of Jurnal Perempuan said.

The 30-year-old, who is undergoing medical treatment at the Gatot Sobroto Army Central Hospital in Jakarta, could barely see out of a swollen right eye.

Another victim, Dedi C. Achmad, 57, was also treated at the same hospital.

"My case is similar to Guntur's. I could not stand seeing a woman being beaten by the FPI. When I tried to beg them not to hurt her, they beat me with bamboo sticks instead," said the Ahmadiyah follower.

The police, who deployed 1,200 officers at the scene, did not make any arrests in order to avoid greater chaos, Central Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Heru Winarko said, adding that he was cooperating with the Jakarta Police headquarters to arrest perpetrators of the clash.

"We definitely won't let them wander around without being responsible for their crime," he said. (ind)

More on Page 9

Comments (3)  |   Post comment
A  |   A  |   A  |   Mail to a friend  |  Printer Friendly Version |  Digg it!  |  Add to Del.icio.us!  |  Add to Reddit!  |  Stumble it!

The Reader (not verified) — Sun, 06/08/2008 - 11:13am

The liberal media is pulling their typical knee-jerk condemnation of FPI now, but if this goes to a full court case the events in Monas will have to be examined in detail, with full media coverage.

That will lead to some uncomfortable facts surfacing. Expect "limited hang out" news coverage, lenient charges, dropping of charges, quiet releases.

It was very easy to play off the "true believers" of both FPI and liberal groups against each other. Don't fall for this fake media event orchestrated by those with deeper political interests who have the full support of the authorities.

Asep jip (not verified) — Tue, 06/03/2008 - 9:09pm

l think the government must find the best solution to both of them..because both of them never have the intension to clash, so that the government must realize that the core problem is about ahmadiyah..government must take the right action and convince the existence of ahmadiyah whether accepted or unaccepted, and as a moslem, l disagree wit the existence of ahmadiyah, because it deviates from islam due to they confess that there is a new prophet after prophet Muhammad, may be if they still desire to be legitimated, they must get out from islam and make the new religion base on their faith.

The Reader (not verified) — Tue, 06/03/2008 - 8:06am

FPI are at best pathetic wankers and at worst violent criminals-lock 'em up and throw away the key! Oh yeah that's right, it's the Keystone Cops, oops I mean POLRI who are 'in the process of arresting them.' LOL!!

What's On

more
more
  • Salim / Who is Salim?
    09/02/2008 - 09/14/2008, Galeri Nasional Jakarta, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur No: 14, Central Jakarta
  • Visual organic
    09/03/2008 - 09/11/2008, Philo Art Space, Jl. Kemang Timur 90 C, South Jakarta (Tel. 92705705, 7198448)
more