TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) spokesman Munarman has strongly denied the Jakarta Metro Police’s statement regarding the shootout on the toll road which resulted in the deaths of 6 FPI members. Munarman asserted that none of FPI members had firearms.

“This should be informed that it is a serious slander that our people are said to carry firearms and take part in the shooting. That’s a slander,” said Munarman in a press conference broadcasted from Petamburan, Central Jakarta, Monday, Dec. 7.

Members of the FPI security guards or Laskar FPI had never been equipped with firearms, he underlined. The police distorted the facts by saying that the shooting was carried out because the FPI members opened the fire first, he added.

“If it is true, check the registration number of the guns, the bullets that are all recorded. Please check them. They are certainly not ours because we have no access to firearms, and it is impossible for us to buy them from the black market,” said Munarman.

In the FPI and Laskar FPI member cards, he added, it was stated that members are prohibited from carrying sharp weapons, firearms, and explosives.

Jakarta Metro Police Chief Insp. Gen. M. Fadil Imran confirmed that the officers shot dead six alleged members of FPI at KM 50 of the Cikampek toll road early today, Dec. 7. The police shot them for resisting the officers.

FPI then issued a statement that the six people was guarding Rizieq Shihab, who was en route to a private family event. FPI chairman Ahmad Shabri suspected there was an attempt to harm the FPI frontman.

Read: FPI: 6 Rizieq Shihab's Supporters Abducted

EGI ADYATAMA