FPI to Hold Quran Recitation against Lenteng Agung Chief

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hard-line Islamic group The Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) plans on organizing regular “Quran recitations” at the Lenteng Agung sub-district office in its latest bid to sway locals to turn against Lenteng Agung sub-district chief Susan Jasmine Zulkifli, a Catholic.

The protest against Susan has again surfaced after subsiding in the past few weeks.

“We will hold weekly events, or at least monthly, “ Jakarta FPI’s regional secretary Novel Ba’mumin told Tempo on Sunday, October 27, 2013. The FPI claimed they had been participating in Quran recitations in the area. “We have been invited by locals from each community unit (RW) to awaken others on this matter,” he said.

Earlier reports said not all residents of Lenteng Agung were against Susan, as it was revealed that many protesters hailed from outside the sub-district. Novel, however, insisted his group represented the aspirations of Lenteng Agung residents.

“We want Susan and Ahok (Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama) know that the protest is not staged by the minority,” he said.

Susan Jasmine Zulkifli has been helming the sub-district for four months. A number of residents have stated they do not have any problem by the appointment of Susan as the chief of the Muslim-majority Lenteng Agung sub-district. “Wha's important is her performance and that she cares about the people,” a resident said.

Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo said he would not replace Susan.

M. ANDI PERDANA