Islamic vigilantes threaten Ramadan raids on nightspots
Militant Islamic groups are planning violent raids on nightspots which stay open during Ramadan.
In recent years, the month of holy observance has seen an annual public debate over what should or should not be allowed by law during Ramadan.
The Jakarta city Governor, General Sutiyoso, has again succumbed to religious pressure and issued a decree. It bans nightclubs, bars, discos, saunas, massage parlours and games parlours from opening for the month.
Cafes, restaurants and live-music halls are allowed to operate for reduced hours except on the eve of Ramadan, the first day, the 17th day - the commemoration of what Muslims believe is the first revelation of the Koran - and the last three days. Any violation will result in the revocation of business licences.
The decree did not explicitly order a ban on the sale of alcohol.
These measures do not go far enough, according to the Front to Defend Islam (Front Pembela Islam, or FPI). A small and mysteriously funded group, it attacks nightspots which stay open during Ramadan. It says the attacks are justified in order 'to defend Muslim purity'.
But analysts say its activities are part of a turf war over lucrative businesses between them, other thug organisations and the police.
'If cafes are allowed to open, it is possible that nightclubs will change their names into cafes. It is an easy thing to do,' said FPI chairman Muhammad Riziq Shihabhe. That is why his men will raid any nightspots remaining open, places the FPI describes as 'vicious'.
'If they defy the ban, we will ask them to close in good manner. If they remain open, we will raid the places,' he said, adding the FPI had printed 200,000 stickers which read: 'Burn any vicious places that open during Ramadan.'
'FPI will remain tough, like last year, by supervising adherence to the bylaw and raiding those places that violate it. Of course, the action will only be taken if there is no favourable response to a letter of warning to them,' said Jafar Siddiq, secretary-general of the Islamic Defenders Troops, a unit of FPI.
Customers at Jakarta nightclubs say they fully expect one of the higher-profile bars such as JJs to bear the brunt of an attack. One Western woman recalls the night she was there last year when an FPI gang came around.
'They beat up Indonesians too, not just a few foreigners. It was terrifying,' she said.
The threats are expected to affect the nightlife at the major five-star hotels, which have their own security forces and are expected to repel any raids. Smaller bars also will probably stay open, and several clubbers said they would refuse to be held hostage by the militants.
The FPI's raids only add to the pain for workers at the nightspots. Many now face a month without earnings, just when family and social obligations are highest.
Many prostitutes are helping to support families, as are the car parking attendants, barmen, waitresses and other nightclub workers.
