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North Sulawesi students press government to dissolve radical groups
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The North Sulawesi Muslim Students Front stage a demonstration at the North Sulawesi governor's office in Manado on Monday, demanding the government take stern action against radical mass organizations. (JP/Eva Aruperes)
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undreds of Muslim students in North Sulawesi staged a rally on Monday following a wave of demonstrations nationwide pressing the government to dissolve violent radical mass organizations.
The North Sulawesi Muslim Students Front marched to the North Sulawesi Religious Ministry Office and the governor's office in Manado. “We demand the Religious Affairs Ministry to not tolerate radical organizations, including the Islam Defenders Front [FPI],” stated Vanni Datukramat, one of the students, saying that the FPI did not reflect Islamic values. “They only use Islam for their own interests,” he added.
“The North Sulawesi administration should be able to refuse the FPI [if they come to the province],” said Vanni, who is also a member of the Indonesian Muslim Students Movement.
Another student, Rahmat Makalalag, read out the student’s petition on supporting the police thoroughly investigating FPI leader Rizieq Shihab, who is facing more than a dozen police investigations over his alleged insults against the state's symbols and ideology, as well as against other religion. “The police should not be afraid when facing threats from radical groups. We support the investigations against Rizieq Shihab,” he said.
The head of the North Sulawesi Public Order Agency, Edyson Humiang, said the student’s petition was in line with the administration’s stance to clear the province of radical organizations. “Together we will prevent the presence of radical organizations,” he said.
