TEMPO.CO, Semarang - Despite the general public's urging the government to disband the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) after the incident in Sukorejo, Central Java Governor Bibit Waluyo says he doesn’t want FPI disbanded. The governor--whose term ends next month--firmly rejects the idea of disbanding the hardline group.
"Let's not let it get to that. Everything has its procedures and processes," Bibit said in Semarang, Tuesday, July 23. His statement was a response to reporters' question regarding the pressure to dissolute FPI which is considered as having committed many acts of violence.
Bibit did say that he does not want a similar incident to ever happen again in Central Java. He asserted that problems in the community cannot be handled by force.
However, Bibit, a former commander of the Diponegoro military command, also disagrees with FPI's way raiding liquor shops and the destruction of properties they believe have violated Islamic laws.
A riot broke between the residents of Sukorejo and FPI members on Thursday, July 18. A minivan carrying FPI members hit and killed a motorcyclist. Prior to the accident, the FPI members in the van had an argument with some locals at the Sukorejo square. Angered, the locals burned the car.
ROFIUDDIN