The Jakarta Globe:

I’m pretty sure a vast majority of Indonesians would prefer the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) to be put to an end, even though the leaders of the organization claim that if they get disbanded, they will form another similar group.

In their official website, they claim that their vision and mission is to straighten the morals of this country by returning the Indonesian people to the ways of the Koran. Their methods, however, are nowhere near morally acceptable. Instead of embodying how real Muslims are supposed to behave, the FPI and their members are nothing but a group of brainwashed thugs who can’t think for themselves and are thus used as a political tool.

A couple of years ago, Wikileaks published a document stating how the FPI is in fact, funded by the Indonesian National Police. Of course the FPI has denied such a claim. But if the allegation in the Wikileaks report is true, it may explain why the FPI are so bold and unstoppable. Even the President doesn’t seem to have any power over them …………….

Sadly, disbanding the FPI won’t assure the disappearance of religious extremism in Indonesia. However, if the President was to act upon this issue and disband the FPI, he would show other extremist organizations that they are not untouchable and can be disbanded as well. A first step needs to be taken. Islam, like many other religions has been interpreted differently in Indonesia. But unfortunately, in this specific case, it has been interpreted for the worse, not for the better.

SBY, you’ve given enough speeches about religious extremism, you’re now already brave enough to brand the FPI as a troublemaker. They’ve publicly called you a loser, now it’s your time to show them who’s the real loser. For goodness sake, please disband the FPI.

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