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Indonesian mainstream society has begun to push back against radical groups that have sought to force their agenda on the country. These groups have ridden roughshod over the nation’s laws and its tradition of religious and ethnic harmony.

In the latest rejection of the presence of the hard-line Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) , a forum is opposing any plan of the FPI to set a presence in Balikpapan. Echoing a similar protest in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan a few weeks ago, a group of organizations in Balikpapan has called on the local administration to refuse demands by the hard-line organization to set up a representative office there.

In addition, the group has demanded the disbandment of the FPI across Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo island.

In a democratic society, citizens and the community have a right to determine their area’s makeup and its social character.

The group in Balikpapan stressed that the rejection had nothing to do with religion, but at the same time it added that events that had transpired in the rest of the country showed that the FPI posed a threat to harmonious living among the various ethnic, racial and religious groups in society.

It is true that the 1945 Constitution guarantees the freedom to organize, but at the same time it also requires that the freedom to worship be respected.

The wishes of the people of Kalimantan should be respected and their rights protected. If they reject groups such as the Islamic Defenders Front, which has a history of violence and persecution of minorities, authorities should acquiesce to their wishes.

The government has so far argued that like any other organization in the country, the FPI has the right to exist.

However, the maintenance of social harmony and protection of minorities is the duty of the government. If any group breaks the law and violates the constitution, it must be firmly dealt with. Violence cannot and should not be tolerated in our society.

The government should follow the example and courage of the people of Kalimantan and deal firmly with radical groups across the country before they destroy the fabric of our nation. The people have spoken and they should now be heard.