In addition to the day of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, August 17 is also the founding date of the Islamic Defenders Front organization, abbreviated as FPI. This organization itself has been officially disbanded since December 30, 2020 after it was declared a banned organization through a Joint Decree (SKB) signed by three ministers and three heads of other state institutions.
In his consideration, there are at least seven reasons for the government to ban FPI from doing activities. The first is the allegation that the contents of the articles of association of the Islamic Defenders Front contradict the laws and regulations governing the matter of Community Organizations.
In addition, FPI’s registration certificate (SKT) as an Ormas at the Ministry of Home Affairs, is said to have expired on June 20 2019. Another reason used was the accusation that FPI management and members or those who had joined FPI members were often involved in crimes and even acts of terrorism.
Furthermore, FPI is also said to frequently carry out sweeping or raids, if according to its own assessment or suspicion there has been a violation of legal provisions. In fact, this is the duty and authority of law enforcement officers.
FPI history
FPI was officially established on August 17, 1998 at the Al-umm Islamic Boarding School, Kampung Utan, Ciputat, South Tangerang. FPI was founded by a number of haba’ib, clerics, preachers, as well as Muslim activists and Muslims.
Quoting the book Dialog FPI-Amar Ma’ruf Nahi Munkar, several well-known scholars who were involved in the establishment of FPI included KH Fathono, KH Misbahul Anam, KH Cecep Bustomi, and Habib Idrus Jamalullail. The central figure who pioneered the establishment of this organization is Rizieq Shihab.
The establishment of FPI shows the religious spirit of a group of Muslims with a fanatical da’wah movement. Therefore, FPI becomes less concerned with institutional forms. FPI members are not bound by formal and strict organizational rules. What unites FPI members is moral commitment and loyalty, as explained by the Symbolic Islamic Movement: FPI’s Politics of Interests.
Referring to the Radical Islamic Current, FPI broadcasts the enforcement of amar ma’ruf nahi munkar through various activities such as recitations, tahlil, salawatan, religious sermons, audiences with government elements, and through gatherings between religious leaders.
In November 1998, the organization gained popularity when the Armed Forces Commander at that time, Wiranto, collaborated with the FPI in a security operation for the MPR Special Session under the PAM Swakarsa (Community Security Forces).
Since its founding, FPI launched a national anti-immoral movement. FPI routinely conducts sweeping in nightclubs. Not infrequently FPI members get involved in clashes when carrying out protests or sweeping.
FPI was involved in an attack on the National Alliance for Freedom of Religion and Belief (AKKBB) which gathered at Monas to commemorate Pancasila Day on June 1 2008. A number of AKBB members were said to have suffered serious injuries in the incident. The FPI mob is also suspected of destroying several public facilities at Monas.
FPI has also been involved in demonstrations several times. In December 1999, the FPI mob came to City Hall to demand the Governor of DKI Jakarta Sutioyoso to close places of immorality during the month of Ramadan.
The organization initiated the 212 demonstration in 2016 which demanded that the then Governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama be imprisoned on charges of blasphemy related to his speech in the Thousand Islands. At that time, crowds wearing all-white attributes thronged the Monas courtyard to the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout area.
Before the disbandment of FPI, a number of members of the organization were suspected of being victims of human rights violations by the police in the Kilometer 50 incident. In that incident, six of Rizieq Syihab’s bodyguards died.
They are Luthfi Hakim (25 years), Andi Oktiawan (33), Muhammad Reza (20), Ahmad Sofyan alias Ambon (26), Faiz Ahmad Gratitude (22), and Muhammad Suci Khadavi (21). The unfortunate incident on Monday morning, December 7 2020, began at the West Karawang Interchange, West Java and continued until KM 50 of the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road.
Even though they were proven to have shot six FPI members, First Brigadier Fikri and Ipda Yusmin, were acquitted by a panel of judges at the South Jakarta District Court at the sentencing hearing at the South Jakarta District Court, Friday, March 18, 2022. The judge considered the shootings by Fikri and Yusmin to be self-defense.
THE NAIS IS OFFICIAL EDITOR ON NAIS NEWS