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Activists Laud Dayaks' 'Momentous' Stand Against FPI
Dessy Sagita | February 12, 2012

Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Syihab was barred from landing in Central Kalimantan amid protests by Dayak tribesman. (Antara Photo) Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Syihab was barred from landing in Central Kalimantan amid protests by Dayak tribesman. (Antara Photo)
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VinegarJoe
12:30am Feb 14, 2012

Militias like the FPI were set up Wiranto specifically to terrorize minorities in Indonesia. Since they have official sanction, why is anyone surprised by their continuing success?

riamrt
12:10am Feb 14, 2012

Agree with foto4mike. Why all these times nobody complained when FPI do things according their way and ignoring the law?

everybodywin
12:01am Feb 14, 2012

What do you expect? Pat fpi in the shoulder and pleads them not to run amok while they beats people,throwing things, and scream curses after God's name? From previous experience, Police cannot(did'nt want?) stop FPI's action so the society have to stand up for themselfs. The majority-peace loving muslims never stand up aginst FPI to defends their own religion. I did not call them heroes, but I applauded their action, they give a fresh air here.

foto4mike
5:08pm Feb 13, 2012

So everyone who is agains FPI should follow "proper procedures", but FPI itself is allowed to do whatsoever? We all have seen what happens to FPI thugs who kill and steal (=basically nothing!), and what happens to those who stand up agains these religious terrorists (= long prison terms etc.). So I guess that the approach taken by the Dayak might prove to be much more successful than the "proper procedures" by FPI.

Kangkung
3:27pm Feb 13, 2012

TAH, yes we should not support violence and intolerance but may be that's the only language that FPI can understand.

The bravery displayed by the indigenous Dayak group from Central Kalimantan in standing up to the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) in its province should be appreciated and used to encourage other groups to speak up against religious intolerance, an activist said on Saturday.

Members of the Dayak tribe protested at Tjilik Riwut airport in Palangkaraya on Saturday, hoping to stop members of the FPI from arriving to attend the opening ceremony of the FPI branch office in Central Kalimantan.

“This is momentous. Don’t stay silent when you see people breeding hatred and intolerance,” said Bonar Tigor Naipospos, deputy chairman of the Setara Institute for Peace and Democracy.

The Dayak display stopped operations at the airport for more than two and half hours. Airport authorities eventually redirected the plane carrying FPI leader Habib Rizieq Syihab and his entourage to an alternate location.

The plane reportedly landed in Banjarmasin to drop off the FPI executives then continued to Tjillik after the airport returned to normal.
Bonar said the action taken by the Dayaks was completely understandable considering the FPI’s track record of being connected with violent acts against minority groups.

He said the FPI had announced its intention to open a branch in the neighboring province of East Kalimantan, and shortly after the declaration FPI members started to conduct raids on entertainment centers in the area.

“[The FPI] also harassed Ahmadiyah members in East Kalimantan,” he said.

“No wonder the people of Central Kalimantan are worried. The province has the biggest number of Ahmadiyah followers on the island. They are afraid that the FPI’s presence will taint the religious tolerance in their province.”

However, he said, Dayak tribesmen should act wisely by following proper procedures to deny the FPI’s presence.

“There must be a very strong argument why the FPI should not exist in their province, otherwise they will be violating the right for people to gather and have an organization,” he said.

Bonar said the tribesmen must find out who are the leading figures of the FPI Central Kalimantan chapter, and determine their backgrounds.

“Have a dialogue, find out what the vision of the organization is and make it promise not to commit any acts of violence or violate any laws. If they refuse to make such a commitment, only then will the Dayak people have a good reason to kick the FPI out of their district,” he said.

Bonar added that, given the FPI’s track record, it would be unlikely the organization would not commit any violations.

“Radicalism is inevitable, but as long as the radicals do not spread hate speech or violate any laws, they can be tolerated,” he said.

A spokesman for the Domestic Affairs Ministry, Redonnyzar Moenoek, told the Jakarta Globe that he could not comment before investigating the case.

“I have to verify the report and find out more before I can comment on this one,” he said.