TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Members of various organizations gathered in Bandung to demand the disbandment of the Islamic Defender Front (FPI) on Thursday, January 19, 2017. The group signed a petition on FPI disbandment to be handed over to West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, also known as Aher.
"We urged toe government, the Police, and the National Army to disband FPI," said Fauzan, Chief of the Indonesian Grass Root Society Movement (GMBI) during the gathering.
The petition, signed by dozens of public organization in West Java was handed over to Ahmad Heryawan by the daughter of former President Soekarno Sukmawati Soekarnoputri.
Aher said to journalists that residents in West Java must always live in harmony. Aher underlined that people should not be hostile towards each other over different arguments.
"Having different opinions is normal. Even in families, there are different opinions. But it must be resolved through [discussion]. Do not resort to violence," Aher said.
Aher also instructed law enforcement officials not to take sides in punishing perpetrators. "Don't humiliate religion, Pancasila, certain groups or individuals. Don't waste your life to insult [others]," Aher said.
IQBAL T. LAZUARDI S