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Anti-FPI Movement Says More Action to Come
Anita Rachman | February 14, 2012

Protesters gather around tape reading Protesters gather around tape reading 'Disband the FPI' at a protest against the Islamic Defenders Front in Jakarta on Tuesday. The rally was broken up after police warned protesters that the FPI were on the way and police would be unable to protect them. (JG Photo/Igor O'Neill)
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facepalm
2:18pm Feb 17, 2012

Why is everyone so bloody pre-occupies with religion in this country? Can you not pull your heads out of the mud for 5 minutes and take a look around - there's far more pressing matters at hand than arguing about who's God is holier. Ban all religion and concentrate on building a prosperous nation I say. Sick of religious hyperbole.

nonredneck
1:57pm Feb 17, 2012

TheSplodge: ["If people lived their lives according to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ the world would be a much better place. If people live their lives following the teachings of Mohammed, the world would be exactly as it is now."]

NO NO... I say long live Lord Sanders! If people live their lives following the teachings of "finger lickin' good" then everybody would just enjoy their crispi chikin skin.

That argument reeks of 'my black robes better than your white robes', I say, why are u wearing robes if not heading to a pool? Take off your robes, let us all share the pool and swim together, we can compete on how many laps we can achieve.

didikarjadi
1:43pm Feb 17, 2012

mazdev - OK! I understand what you mean.

mazdev
1:06pm Feb 17, 2012

didikarjadi,

I'm pretty sure about my statement. But to avoid misunderstandings I try to explain: The European if he has to do something, will think twice about it, the consequences etc., so that what he produces will have effects or last, no need for patching. That's what I mean with = Commitment.

The Indonesian will do first, what isn't that good, can be fixed (patched) later.

Indonesians tolerate behaviors because of titles not of doing. Even worse a doctor who isn't songbook (arrogant) can't be a good doctor here (at least that's what people think in Medan).

I'm not saying it's bad, tolerance value system in relationships it's even better, but in producing and education it will create a failure.


didikarjadi
7:22am Feb 17, 2012

mazdev - "Indonesian value system is based on tolerance, while the western (and western educated) value systems is based on commitment." - are you sure about this statement? You do know that Indonesia is arguably one of the most, if not the most, corrupt nation on the Planet, and is run by what are basically gangsters?

The anti-Islamic Defenders Front rally may have broken up early, but organizers say they have no intention of staying silent.

Tunggal Pawestri, a spokesman with the Movement for an FPI-Free Indonesia, told the Jakarta Globe that the group was already brainstorming ways to stage an even bigger gathering in the near future.

Eyewitness reports put the number of attendees at Tuesday’s rally between 200 and 300. The protest at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle was called to an early halt, however, after police warned people that members of the hardline group, known as the FPI, were on the way.

One organizer claimed that police had said to her: “If something happens [after the FPI comes], that’s not our responsibility.”

Protester Dimas Hary said he was not disappointed over the fact that the speeches ended after only 15 minutes. Instead, he criticized police for refusing to give any guarantee of safety once rumors of the FPI’s arrival began to spread.

“The one thing that doesn’t disappoint me is my friends’ big hearts in staying here longer,” he said.

Dimas said he hoped the group would hold another, better-attended rally soon.

Ririn Sefani, another rally organizer, said that aside from protests, the group was also exploring legal avenues in opposing the FPI.

She said plans were underway to speak to the Ministry of Home Affairs and other government departments.

“And we are actually open to dialogues,” she added.

Ririn defended the decision to end the rally early, citing the nonviolent nature of the organization.

“I think our action is polite. It’s a peaceful really. We even sent our press release to the FPI as well.”

Monica Halim, 21, told the Globe that she would continue to support the movement due to her continued disgust with the FPI’s tactics, which include raids on businesses during the holy month of Ramadan.

“I am a Catholic, but I know that they [FPI] do not only bother non-Muslims, they also bother Muslims,” she said. “I came here because I agreed with the movement, an FPI-free Indonesia.”