Ansor urges govt to immediately disband FPI

Jakarta, NU Online
The Ansor Youth Movement has strongly urged the government to immediately disband and freeze all activities of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) despite its chief Habib Riziq Shihab was named as suspect and detained by the Jakarta Police.

General Secretary of the Ansor Youth Movement Abdul Malik Haramain made the statement at his press release received by NU Online on Thursday (5/6). “The government or police must stand firm to freeze the FPI's activities.”<>

Malik explained the demand of some circles over the FPI disband was absolutely reasonable. He was of view the group established on 17 August 1998 had all of the time committed violence in its all actions so far.

So it was reasonable enough, he added, if society urged the government to soon disband the hard line group.

“The demand of the disbandment being actually caused by the reaction from violence accumulation committed by the FPI has so far increasingly disrupted and threatened both the freedom and life of many people,” he said.

AS reported, chief of the FPI Habib Riziq and six FPI members were named suspects and arrested by the Jakarta Police for the recent violent incident in National Monument (Monas), central Jakarta.

"Seven people including Habib Riziq have been named suspects. So, today, there are detained," Spokesman of the Jakarta Police Senior Commissioner Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said here on Thursday (5/6).

Police have not detained other over 10 FPI members who were also named suspects.

"Those who have been named suspects but not yet arrested, are waiting for further investigation today," he said.

Of the total 58 FPI members being detained by the Police, five were released on Wednesday.

"We are also still checking them with pictures of 20 FPI members being involved in the Monas violence. Their names and identities are being cross-checked," the policeman said.  (rif)