Jakarta (The Straits Times) – A mob of hardline Muslim activists pelted Indonesia's Home Affairs Ministry with stones and eggs yesterday, after a quarrel between the central government and several regional authorities over conflicting laws on alcohol sales brewed over. In an attack that reflects growing efforts by radicals to control the agenda in secular Indonesia, hundreds of members of two extremist groups hit the complex in central Jakarta, damaging a security post, carpark and glass panels before threatening to conduct sweeps on bars and beat up customers. The activists from the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and Islamic People's Forum (FUI) were protesting against a move by the Indonesian government to review local laws banning the sale and consumption of alcohol enacted in some regencies. FUI secretary-general Muhammad Al Khaththath called on Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi to “repent, apologise to everybody and step down”, saying the sale of alcohol was against Islamic teachings and should be banned. Hours later, however, seven FPI leaders came to the ministry to apologise to officials and the police. Consultative council secretary Misbakhul Anam said the situation had got out of control, as the group's members were “young and not trained”. But Mr Gamawan, describing the assault as “anarchic”, told The Straits Times that he would take “appropriate action regarding the existence of these groups where the law is broken”. Police also said they were investigating the attack. On the surface, the controversy appeared to be about overlapping rights between the central government and local authorities over by-laws, which the country's 400 regencies and 92 cities can draft and enforce on their own turf, as long as they do not contradict national laws. The flexibility was introduced as part of Indonesia's ongoing decade-long process of devolving control to local authorities. But it also points to continuing efforts by extremists and conservatives seeking to turn the country into an Islamic state. Observers noted that many of the by-laws being enacted reflected a growing desire of officials to implement strict Islamic law, leading to what some have called the proliferation of “syariah by-laws”. In some regencies, women are banned from going out at night, or told they must wear “modest” attire. The latest clash came after the Home Affairs Ministry, while reviewing local laws, homed in on those that banned alcohol sales altogether. In Indonesia, alcoholic drinks are classified under three categories: Class A for drinks with less than 5 per cent alcohol, like beer; Class B for those with 5 per cent to 20 per cent alcohol, such as wine; and Class C for spirits with 20 to 55 per cent alcohol. In many cities, Class A drinks are available at convenience stores, while Class B and Class C drinks can be sold only at places like hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and duty-free shops. But by having by-laws banning alcohol, several regencies effectively erased these categories. Mr Gamawan, however, said Class A drinks cannot be banned. “Otherwise, even drinks like tapai will be forbidden,” he added, referring to the popular home-brew drink made from fermented cassava or fermented rice. He said: “Regional laws cannot clash with those set by a higher authority. They have to revise by-laws that contravene state law. The right to regulate who drinks and who can distribute alcoholic drinks is that of the government.” Officials in the conservative Indramayu regency in West Java and Tangerang city, however, opposed the ministry's review stridently. The influential Indonesian Council of Religious Scholars (MUI) said it “was certain to result in moral degradation”, while MPs slammed the ministry for being “insensitive to local feelings”. On Wednesday, Mr Gamawan lashed back at MUI for “fitnah”, or slander, which many Muslims consider a grave sin. All his ministry was doing, he said, was asking regional officials to evaluate and clarify their by-laws to ensure they did not contravene national laws. Only the President, he added, can revoke a by-law. Retorting, MUI chairman Amidhan Shaberah said the ministry was playing with semantics. “In asking for a review, they are effectively revoking the by-law,” he told The Straits Times yesterday. Religious groups and MPs have increasingly cited broader arguments, like public order, to justify the strict by-laws. Said MP Anis Matta of the Islam-based Prosperous Justice Party: “There are many security issues related to this. It's not simply a matter of religion.” Such a view, however, runs against the generally relaxed approach to alcohol adopted by many Muslims in Indonesia. Many Indonesians have also pointed out that the country's laws should not infringe on the rights of minority groups, nor should they compel all Muslims – who make up some 90 per cent of the population – to follow Islamic teachings as much as some groups might want them to. The matter is likely to intensify in the coming months, although Dr Luthfi Assyaukanie, the deputy director of think-tank Freedom Institute, noted that Mr Gamawan's credentials – a devout Muslim and former governor of West Sumatra province who is viewed as close to MUI leaders – make him one of the best persons to take on opponents. Dr Luthfi told The Straits Times: “Syariah- inspired by-laws are like a ticking time-bomb. People forget that it is not just Muslims who sell drinks or run businesses that do, and by-laws like these have a negative impact on tourism and the local economy.” BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/zrvmR Tags: Alcohol, Indonesia, Jakarta, Protests Section: Culture, East Asia, Features, Latest News
