We question three in Tegal and four in Makassar."Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - The police questioned seven members of the Islamic Defenders` Front (FPI) following clashes between members of the Islamic-based organization with local people in Kendal (Central Java Province) and Makassar (South Sulawesi), an official said.
"We question three in Tegal and four in Makassar," Chief of the National Police`s Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim), Comr. Gen. Sutarman said here on Wednesday.
Last July 18, clash happened between local people in Kendal district (Central java) with members of FPI. Three people got injured due to the clash. A mother was killed after she was hit by a car carrying FPI members while riding a motorcycle during the clash. The clash allegedly happened due to self-initiative raid conducted by FPI members in Sukorejo area, Kendal, a day before the clash.
As to the incident in Makassar (South Sulawesi), it was said that on June 20 FPI members who were conducting raid in a liquor store in the city were involved in physical fight with police personnel.
Commenting on the incidents, Sutarman said police will not tolerate violence conducted by any mass organization.
"We will act firmly towards whoever committing violence to other people. We will not tolerate such action as it will jeopardize national security," he said.
Clashes between FPI members and local people in Kendal and Makassar also received the attention of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Earlier he said that he would not tolerate violent acts done by any community element during the current holy month of Ramadan.
He said the state would not tolerate anyone conducting violence, destruction or taking the laws into their own hands, which violate the laws in Indonesia.
In connection with that he called on the police to take stern action professionally to prevent such incident from spreading wider.
(Reporting by Anwar Maga/translating and editing by Amie Fenia Arimbi/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
