Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JAKARTA1093
2008-06-04 08:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:
GOI CRACKS DOWN ON EXTREMIST GROUP
how-toVZCZCXRO0800 OO RUEHBC RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDE RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV DE RUEHJA #1093 1560845 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 040845Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9193 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5104 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2599 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 1043 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0999 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1899 RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 3835 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2058 RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 2719 RUEHBAD/AMCONSUL PERTH 0854 RHHJJPI/USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001093
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, DRL/AWH, DRL/IRF
NSC FOR E. PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL KIRF KISL ID
SUBJECT: GOI CRACKS DOWN ON EXTREMIST GROUP
REF: JAKARTA 1076 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001093
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, DRL/AWH, DRL/IRF
NSC FOR E. PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL KIRF KISL ID
SUBJECT: GOI CRACKS DOWN ON EXTREMIST GROUP
REF: JAKARTA 1076 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d).
1. (U) This message was coordinated with Consulate General
Surabaya.
2. (C) SUMMARY: On June 4, Indonesian police arrested
between 80-100 members of the extremist group responsible for
an attack on a peaceful demonstration in Jakarta on June 1.
Several members of the Islamic Defender's Front (FPI)
leadership--who are wanted by the police--remain at large.
There have been more anti-FPI protests. There was quite a
public outcry about the June 1 attack and it is positive that
the GOI has taken steps to arrest the perpetrators. END
SUMMARY.
3. (C) ARRESTS: Police sources confirmed to Mission that
four companies of the Indonesian Police Mobile Brigade
(BRIMOB) raided the headquarters of the Islamic Defender's
Front (FPI) in Jakarta the morning of June 4, arresting
between 80-100 suspects in the June 1 attack. (Note: During
the June 1 attack, dozens of peaceful, "pro-pluralism
demonstrators were beaten by FPI members. Seven rally-goers
are still hospitalized--see reftels.)
4. (C) The suspects were transported to police headquarters
and are currently being interrogated by police. Suspects
face possible charges of assault, security disturbance and
related charges. FPI headquarters in Jakarta reportedly has
been sealed off. FPI Chief Habib Rizieq Shihab has been
detained for questioning at police headquarters. Ten
suspects remain at large, among them notorious militant
leader Munarman (one name only).
5. (C) MORE PROTESTS: Protests have continued throughout
Indonesia since the attack occurred. Hundreds of members of
the National Awakening Party (PKB),one of Indonesia's larger
political parties, reportedly marched to the home of local
FPI Chief Habib Abu Bakar, in Jember, East Java on June 3.
Police allowed four representatives to enter his home where
they allegedly persuaded Abu Bakar to sign a statement
agreeing to apologize to the victims, apologize to former
Indonesian president and PKB leader Abdurrahman Wahid
(co-organizer of the June 1 pro-pluralism demonstration),and
dissolve the local branch of the FPI immediately. Jember FPI
spokesperson said that the local FPI branch was merely a
representative of the larger organization and that they were
dissolving themselves voluntarily. Similar actions have
taken place in West Java and Central Java.
6. (C) POSITIVE STEP: There was quite a public outcry about
the June 1 attack with the Indonesian government netting
significant flak for not taking steps against FPI right away.
It is positive, however, that the GOI has moved in a
significant way and that should tamp down on some of the
criticism. As noted, there have been various protests around
the country and more turbulence is possible. The June 1
incident was quite shocking to many Indonesians and tempers
remain high.
HEFFERN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, DRL/AWH, DRL/IRF
NSC FOR E. PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL KIRF KISL ID
SUBJECT: GOI CRACKS DOWN ON EXTREMIST GROUP
REF: JAKARTA 1076 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d).
1. (U) This message was coordinated with Consulate General
Surabaya.
2. (C) SUMMARY: On June 4, Indonesian police arrested
between 80-100 members of the extremist group responsible for
an attack on a peaceful demonstration in Jakarta on June 1.
Several members of the Islamic Defender's Front (FPI)
leadership--who are wanted by the police--remain at large.
There have been more anti-FPI protests. There was quite a
public outcry about the June 1 attack and it is positive that
the GOI has taken steps to arrest the perpetrators. END
SUMMARY.
3. (C) ARRESTS: Police sources confirmed to Mission that
four companies of the Indonesian Police Mobile Brigade
(BRIMOB) raided the headquarters of the Islamic Defender's
Front (FPI) in Jakarta the morning of June 4, arresting
between 80-100 suspects in the June 1 attack. (Note: During
the June 1 attack, dozens of peaceful, "pro-pluralism
demonstrators were beaten by FPI members. Seven rally-goers
are still hospitalized--see reftels.)
4. (C) The suspects were transported to police headquarters
and are currently being interrogated by police. Suspects
face possible charges of assault, security disturbance and
related charges. FPI headquarters in Jakarta reportedly has
been sealed off. FPI Chief Habib Rizieq Shihab has been
detained for questioning at police headquarters. Ten
suspects remain at large, among them notorious militant
leader Munarman (one name only).
5. (C) MORE PROTESTS: Protests have continued throughout
Indonesia since the attack occurred. Hundreds of members of
the National Awakening Party (PKB),one of Indonesia's larger
political parties, reportedly marched to the home of local
FPI Chief Habib Abu Bakar, in Jember, East Java on June 3.
Police allowed four representatives to enter his home where
they allegedly persuaded Abu Bakar to sign a statement
agreeing to apologize to the victims, apologize to former
Indonesian president and PKB leader Abdurrahman Wahid
(co-organizer of the June 1 pro-pluralism demonstration),and
dissolve the local branch of the FPI immediately. Jember FPI
spokesperson said that the local FPI branch was merely a
representative of the larger organization and that they were
dissolving themselves voluntarily. Similar actions have
taken place in West Java and Central Java.
6. (C) POSITIVE STEP: There was quite a public outcry about
the June 1 attack with the Indonesian government netting
significant flak for not taking steps against FPI right away.
It is positive, however, that the GOI has moved in a
significant way and that should tamp down on some of the
criticism. As noted, there have been various protests around
the country and more turbulence is possible. The June 1
incident was quite shocking to many Indonesians and tempers
remain high.
HEFFERN