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Protests against military training for FPI exaggerated: Fadli Zon
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A deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Fadli Zon, speaks to journalists. (Antara/Hafidz Mubarak)
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efending military training given to members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) through the Bela Negara (State Defense) program, House Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon slammed critics who were questioning the program and FPI’s participation in it.
The politician from the Gerindra Party also criticized the military’s decision to strip Lebak military commander Lt. Col. Czi Ubaidillah of his post for recruiting the FPI in Banten to take the training recently, calling the decision “regrettable”.
“I think [the decision] needs not to be that dramatic,” Fadli told the press on Monday. “All citizens of this country are equal. Everyone has the right to take part in Bela Negara [training] and so does every mass organization.”
“The more people participate in the training to defend the state regardless of their backgrounds the better, as long as they are committed to the NKRI [the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia]. I think it will give a positive vibe to the country. Thus we must continue developing [the Bela Negara training],” Fadli added.
The Indonesian Military made the decision to strip Czi of his command in response to a public outcry after news of the training went viral following an Instagram post by @dpp_fpi of several photographs of the session. The Instagram account @dpp_fpi has also posted photographs of similar training in Madura, East Java.
The TNI has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. (evi)
