TWILIGHT OF THE MORAL VIGILANTES? -- ATTACKS BY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002770

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, S/CT, DS/ICI/RFJ, DS/IP/EAP, DRL,
EAP/MLS, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/CC, DS/IP/SC, DRL
INR FOR CHARLIE ZENZIE, HEIDI PANETTA
DOJ FOR CTS THORNTON, DAG SWARTZ
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MULLANEY, ST.HILAIRE
FBI FOR ITOSI/SSA SOLOMON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINS ASEC PHUM ID
SUBJECT: TWILIGHT OF THE MORAL VIGILANTES? -- ATTACKS BY
HARD-LINERS DURING RAMADAN TAPER OFF

REF: JAKARTA 2241

Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4(b,d).


1. (U) This message was coordinated with Consulates Medan and
Surabaya.


2. (C) SUMMARY -- Despite a serious flare-up recently near
Jakarta, incidents of hard-line Muslim vigilante groups
"sweeping," e.g., closing down entertainment establishments
during the fasting month of Ramadan, have dropped
significantly this year. Effective police and community
action seem to be the reasons. Ramadan ends in mid-October,
so extremists--who are still a presence--have time for
mayhem. Mission issued a Warden Message prior to Ramadan
warning U.S. citizens to be cautious. END SUMMARY.


3. (SBU) DECLINE IN SWEEPING -- Widespread vigilantism, or
"sweeping," by extreme Muslim groups witnessed during the
2005 Ramadan season curtailed in 2006, and has dropped
significantly again in 2007, human rights and other sources
told poloff. Activity by the notorious Ramadan vigilante
group, the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI),has dropped
dramatically, for example. Sources said this is due to:
more local regulations restricting entertainment
establishments' hours of operations during Ramadan; better
police enforcement of these regulations; and better police
prevention against vigilantism.


4. (SBU) BOGOR HIJINKS EXCEPTED -- The one highly notable
exception was a September 30 rampage by FPI and the Islamic
Defenders Force (LPI) who marched in Bogor (a city near
Jakarta) carrying sticks and vandalizing hotels, cafes and
nightclubs that remained open, the media reported. The
groups were reportedly looking for prostitutes and their
customers. A cafe and a hotel were reportedly badly damaged
but no one injured. The local police chief stated that "the
police will not tolerate any further attacks on private
businesses," adding that police would be "tough on citizens
who damage private property."


5. (SBU) POLICE TAKE A STAND -- According to various sources,
the Bogor incident was the first serious act of Ramadan
vigilantism in 2007. Numerous other attempts by FPI to close
down business establishments have all been thwarted by
police, according to media reports, including the following:

-- In Jakarta's Gunung Sahari neighborhood on September 29,
police clashed with FPI members attempting to raid
restaurants and nightclubs, arresting two FPI members.
-- At Samarinda, East Kalimantan, on September 29, police
prevented FPI from confronting a group of intoxicated youth,
defusing a stand-off.
-- In Palu, South Sulawesi, on September 28, police used
persuasion to stop more than a hundred members of the Islamic
Followers Alliance from attacking nightclubs.
-- In Depok (outskirts of Jakarta) on September 9, police
stopped FPI from raiding nightclubs by meeting with FPI
leaders and instructing them to stay off the streets.


6. (U) Local police have also acted decisively in shutting
down establishments that violated local Ramadan ordinances.
On September 18, in Pekanbaru, Riau, North Sumatra, police
supported by military elements closed street food stalls and
coffee shops operating against an order by the mayor,
prohibiting restauants and amusement centers from operating
during the Ramadan daylight hours. Some business owners were
arrested and sentenced to three months in jail or pay a USD
55 fine. In Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on September 17,
authorities shut down food stalls and detained vendors.


7. (C) THERE IS STILL TIME -- Ramadan ends in mid-October, so
extremists still have time for mayhem. Groups like FPI still
have members who remain willing to take to the streets.
(Note: FPI supporters in August, for example, held a

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threatening demonstration that drove Miss Universe out of
Bandung -- see reftel.) Their activities are under
significantly more constraints than they were even two years
ago, however, when they acted almost with impunity. Clearly,
when you get arrested for a little bit of bullying and
smashing, it is just not as fun as it once was. Mission
issued a Warden Message prior to Ramadan warning U.S.
citizens to be cautious.

HEFFERN