Government Bans All FPI Activities

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD (DOK. Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The government has banned all activities of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI). FPI no longer has a legal position as a community organization (ormas) or an ordinary organization.

"The government prohibits FPI activities and will stop any activities carried out by FPI because FPI no longer has a legal standing either as a mass organization or as an ordinary organization," said Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD in a press conference, Wednesday, December 30.

Mahfud explained, de jure, FPI since 20 June 2019 has disbanded as a mass organization. However, FPI as an organization is considered by the government to carry out activities that violate order, security and are against the law.

"Such as acts of violence, sweeping, provocation and so on," said Mahfud MD.

With the prohibition of all FPI activities, the central government has asked local governments to take firm action against activities on behalf of FPI.

"To the central government and local government officials, if there is an organization acting in the name of FPI, it is deemed that it must not exist and must be rejected because there is no legal standing as of today," said Mahfud.

The announcement of the ban on all FPI activities was made by Mahfud MD at a press conference which was also attended by the National Police Chief General Idham Azis, TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, Menkumham Yasonna Laoly, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian and a number of other officials.