Just based on the comments and number of shares on our story about it, we’d say that there are quite a few people in Jakarta who are happy that Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has allowed mini-markets in Jakarta to legally start selling beer again after the government annulled the trade ministry’s ban against it.
But there are obviously some people who are not happy about Governor Ahok’s decision and are ready to attack him over it. And, of course, one of the first to do so are the members of the hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI).
The secretary of the FPI, Jafar Sodik, said the mass organization denounced Ahok’s decision on the grounds that it violates the principles of Indonesia’s state ideology, Pancasila.
“He has the mind of a madman. If he is really a statesman, he should think. Legalizing alcohol, that is contrary to the values of Pancasila. Our country is based on Pancasila and one of its principles is following the values of God,” Jafar told Harian Terbit.
Some would say it’s ironic that FPI would site Pancasila to criticize Ahok’s decision because Pancasila does not say specifically anything about alcohol but it does emphasize that the beliefs of all religions recognized by the state should be respected, and obviously not all religions in Indonesia would agree with the total ban on alcohol FPI would advocate.
Jafar also added, “The government regulation are clear, there are rules and [alcohol is] banned.” Which is completely wrong, even before the minimarket beer ban was lifted, alcohol could still be purchased in Jakarta at supermarkets and other speciality stores.
Nonetheless, Jafar promised that FPI would protest Ahok and also implied more severe actions could be coming.
“Now if FPI took to the streets, we would criticize but peacefully, however those on the edges of society will also take action themselves. In the future, we’ll see what to can do to fight Ahok. If we need to do sweeping, we will do so,” he said.
FPI is sometimes referred to as a “rent-a-thug” group and is strongly rumored to exist largely to extort protection money from businesses to avoid their “sweeps”. We know Ahok is not so easily intimidated, but we hope the police will do as they promised to uphold the law and keep mass organizations like FPI from illegally terrorising those who don’t agree with their hardline beliefs.
Reader Interactions