This June 1, the Islamic Defenders Command (KLI), a umbrella group comprising three Islamist organizations, attacked a peaceful rally held by the Alliance for the Freedom of Religion and Faith (AKKBB) at Jakarta’s National Monument, or Monas. The event was held to commemorate the birthday of the state’s foundation ideology, but this year, the Pancasila celebrations were cancelled before they began when the KLI attacked the AKBB. Since then, calls for the FPI’s disbandment have intensified. At the time this report went to press, 58 FPI members had been arrested by the police for involvement in the attack (4/6/08).
The Monas incident is the main focus of the 10th edition of our Monthly Report. However, before Monas, the FPI’s South Sulawesi chapter had committed other violent acts and these are also detailed. This report will also discuss the Pangkep regency case in which the local government is seeking assistance from radical cleric Abu Bakar Ba’asyir on how to institute sharia law.
The Wahid Institute believes that regional autonomy as it is currently being practiced is a doubled-edged sword. On one hand, autonomy can reduce the authoritarianism of central government and give local people an important voice; one that is essential to the functioning of a modern democracy. However, unchecked autonomy can also increase the danger that local governments are hijacked by anti-democratic forces, especially in the form of fundamentalist religious groups. Cooperation between regional governments and fundamentalists is currently occurring in many places in the country. Normally this fundamentalist advocacy for public morality results in repressive new sharia-style bylaws.
This kind of advocacy has recently begun to bear fruit in Pangkep, South Sulawesi, with the local regent threatening to ban all musical performances he judges are erotic and therefore immoral. The regent made this announcement while standing alongside Abu Bakar Ba‘asyir, the Supreme Leader of the radical Indonesia Mujahidin Council (MMI), whose members are actively encouraging regional governments to adopt severe forms of Islamic sharia. This trend, if it is allowed to continue, will see more regional governments become the hostages of fundamentalists and their intolerant teachings.
Apart from the two issues, the report will also discuss the distribution of VCDs in Padang, West Sumatra, and the expulsion of a Salafi leader in West Lombok over accusations he taught a deviant form of Islam.
The Ahmadiyah sect also continues to be a focus of interest. The joint ministerial decree (SKB) on the sect, which was recommended by Bakor Pakem, the quasi-governmental body that polices religious mysticism and cults, has yet to be issued. It indicates that the government is unsure how to interpret or make policy about the Ahmadiyah. Even so, pressure against the Ahmadiyah continues and a number of followers are seeking asylum overseas and are visiting consulates in Bali to seek assistance.

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