Indonesia: FPI officials form new organization after govt bans group

• Indonesia has banned the controversial and politically influential hardline group the Islamic Defender’s Front, the chief security minister announced on 30 Dec 21.
• “The government has banned FPI activities and will stop any activities carried out by FPI. The FPI no longer has legal standing as an organisation.” Mahfud said.
• Mahfud said the FPI has been technically without any “legal standing” since 20 Jun 19 when its permit expired and the government refused to renew.
• “The organization has been legally disbanded but the FPI continues with activities breaching the law and order,” Mahfud told a news conference at his office.
• That led to a joint decision by the country’s law enforcement agencies to entirely ban the FPI effective from 30 Dec 20, he said.
• The deputy justice minister, Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej, said the FPI was outlawed because nearly 30 of its leaders, members and former members had been convicted on terrorism charges, and because the group conflicted with the nation’s state ideology, Pancasila, which emphasises unity and diversity.
• The ban follows the Nov 20 return of the group’s spiritual figurehead, Rizieq Shihab, from three years of self-exile in Saudi Arabia, which was celebrated with events attended by thousands.
• The 55-year-old cleric was arrested in Dec 20 and charged with violating health protocols and remains in custody, while a clash between police and his supporters – in which six of his bodyguards were shot dead – is being investigated by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).
• Komnas HAM aims to complete its independent probe into the deaths of six members of the FPI in Jan 21.
• In response to the ban, Islam Defenders Front (FPI) chairman Ahmad Shabri Lubis announced on 30 Dec 20 the establishment of a new mass Islamic organization.
• In a written statement, Ahmad and 18 other FPI members declared the formation of the organization, which is also called the FPI, short for Front Persatuan Islam (United Islamic Front).
• In the statement, Ahmad claimed the government’s decision to ban the FPI was unconstitutional, unlawful and was an attempt to distract the public from the issue of the fatal shootings of six FPI members.
• FPI deputy secretary general Azis Yanuar said the new group would not be registered with the government, but the organization had clear legal standing.

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External Link : https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/12/30/government-bans-fpi-and-its-activities.html

External Link : https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/12/29/komnas-ham-to-complete-probe-on-killing-of-six-fpi-members-in-january.html