Jakarta's Christian governor takes on radical Islamist group
Jakarta's newly elected chief, an ethnic Chinese, takes lead in pressuring government to act against radical group ignored by past administration
For more than 15 years the Islamic Defenders' Front terrorised moderate Muslims, Christians and other religious minorities in Jakarta, with authorities doing little to stop the growing violence.
Among those who experienced the group's brutality was Muslim intellectual Ahmad Suaedy, who was attacked six years ago at a peaceful rally to promote religious diversity.
"Yes, I have been beaten by FPI before," said Suaedy, using the group's acronym.
"From that incident, I know how dangerous FPI is. I was beaten with bamboo sticks but some of its field leaders were actually carrying swords."
Now, Jakarta's first Christian governor in 50 years, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, is taking the fight to the radical Islamist group, which held protests for weeks in an attempt to block the "infidel's" inauguration on Wednesday.
Basuki, better known by his Chinese nickname Ahok, has written to the home affairs ministry and the justice ministry, calling for the group to be disbanded - a move backed by a growing number of Muslims.
"FPI should be dissolved. The organisation smears the good name of Islam," said Sani, a Muslim lawyer from Jakarta.