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Cops act against surging vigilantism
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In this file photo, National Police chief Gen.Tito Karnavian explains security challenges during a press conference in Jakarta on Dec. 28, 2016. (Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)
T
he National Police have made several bold moves following a strongly worded call from President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo over the weekend imploring the police to take action against radical groups carrying out vigilante violence.
After two men in East Jakarta were named suspects for intimidating, a 15-year-old boy of Chinese descent who was accused of insulting Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab, National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian dismissed the police chief of Solok, West Sumatra, Adj. Sr. Comr. Susmelawati Rosya, from her position for failing to sufficiently protect Fiera Lovita, 40, a physician who has been targeted by members of the hard-line group in the city.
Fiera was reportedly intimidated by the FPI after making social media comments that members of the group considered defamation of Rizeiq.
On May 19 and May 21, Fiera published Facebook posts criticizing Rizieq for traveling to Saudi Arabia to avoid his legal problems. Rizieq is currently facing pornography charges after screenshots of a lascivious Whatsapp conversation, allegedly between him and a woman, went viral on social media. He claims the case against him is politically motivated.
On May 23, local FPI members, escorted by officers from the Solok Police, confronted Fiera at her workplace, asking her to delete her Facebook posts and release a written statement declaring her regret and retracting her claims.
National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Setyo Wasisto said the Solok Police chief had failed to properly protect Fiera.
“The [National] Police chief felt Bu Rosya did not fully perform her duty. She only facilitated a mediation without investigating the intimidation,” he said.
