Organizations Protecting Former FPI Members and Public Prov…

The activities of the Defenders of Islam Front (FPI) were banned by the government, because they were growing increasingly far from the life of our Pancasila-based society which is tolerant of differences.

The public can now hope to live more peaceful life, in the democratic environment which has been growing since the reformation period began in 1998.

There will be no more disruptions of people who are worshipping or holding weddings, no banning of saluting the national flag, no more raids of cafes, mini-markets, drugstores, eateries, shopping malls and other activities where that group had taken the law into their own hands.

Organized criminal activity hiding behind a religious front has been curtailed by the government in order to uphold the law, as well as for the benefit of social discipline.

It is only with such discipline that we can achieve stability, and only through stability can we work effectively to achieve mutual security and prosperity.

The FPI, which has been around since 1998, has long been a source of public concern due to its exploits. In 2008, (President) Gus Dur planned to disband that organization, in the wake of a decade of committing unsettling controversial actions.

The Joint Decree of Three Cabinet Ministers issued today, together with the National Police, Attorney General’s Office, and National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT), named FPI a forbidden organization.

The essence of the decree refers to the evidence of 37 of its members engaged in terrorist activity. This means that if any other organizations take in former FPI members, then they can be equally penalized.

If there are any authorities whose statements or writings are filled with public incitement, in violation of Law Number 5 of 2018, then they can be penalized for committing criminal acts of terrorism.

Any shady tendencies on the part of such authorities can be brought out and exposed to the light of the legal system. Democratic life must be secured by the government, by cleaning out any parasites.

These parasites of democracy are those provocateurs and demagogues who are a part of organized crime.

A.M. Hendropriyono
Professor at the State Intelligence College (STIN) and the Military Law College (STHM)