FPI In The Vanguard Of Disasters: Imaging Or Real Action?

Illustration (Raga Granada/VOI)

From its track record that has been discussed, the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) looks more negative impressions. From being considered "holy snoo bye" to vigilantism. Until finally the image as a cowboy ormas began to shift with the movement of intervened action to help victims of disaster. Still in the typical VOI Series Writing edition "FPI Controversy," about the other side of FPI.

Who doesn't know the community organization of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI)? This society has almost ceaselessly become a conversation. Especially when the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law, and Human Rights (Menko Polhukam) announced the banning of all FPI activities at the end of 2020.

Menko Polhukam Mahfud MD in a press conference on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 said that de jure, FPI since June 20, 2019 has disbanded as an organization. However, FPI as an organization is considered by the government to carry out activities that violate order, security and are contrary to the law. "Such as acts of violence, sweeping, provocation and so on," mahfud said.

With the ban on all FPI activities, the central government asked the local government to act decisively against activities on behalf of FPI. FPI does often do sweeping. But the sweeping reaped controversy in the community, in addition to sometimes troubling also done unilaterally and outside the law. It's not even uncommon to end up clashing.

Citing Republika's report in 2005, FPI Bandung Regency conducted sweeping at three prostitution locations in the west Bandung area. FPI at that time wanted to eradicate the location of prostitution if not immediately ditertibkan Cimahi Police and Satpol PP.

Three locations of prostitution target sweeping FPI at that time Padalarang, Cipatat, and Cikalongwetan. The location has been used as a place for commercial sex workers (PSK) for 10 years.

In 2018, Imam FPI DKI Jakarta Habib Muhsin Alatas, said that there will be sweeping if there are companies that force Employees of Islam to use Christmas-nuanced attributes. Habib Muhsin said that sweeping is done if the police do not respond to complaints of employees who are forced to use Christmas attributes. "If it has been reported but there is no follow-up, yes inevitably Muslims will move," Muhsin said, quoted by CNN.

In the same year, in Pamekasan, Madura at that time there was a sweeping action carried out by the Islamic Defenders Army, a soldier who stood under the FPI. The sweepping led to clashes with local residents who were fighting back. The victims reached 10 people, including mothers and minors.

At that time they suspected in Ponteh Village there was one of the houses used as a place for illegal prostitution. Warriors members suspected the crowd of women they were dragging was prostitutes. In fact, according to an eyewitness named Agus Aini, the woman who was dragged was the mothers who were invited to the child's birthday.

Agus Aini immediately defended the mothers. Clashes between LPI members and ponteh villagers were inevitable. Children who witnessed the clashes were traumatized. In fact, Agus Aini had fainted during the incident because he wanted to be taken by the Islamic Defenders Army.

"The children were terrified, crying hysterically, because the situation was like being carok, especially the LPI troops brought a pentungan," explained Agus.

The other side of FPI

Although the cowboy action is considered troubling and there are several other controversial things, but FPI also has a large humanitarian side. FPI often deploys thousands of troops to help victims of natural disasters in Indonesia.

Still vivid in people's memories, the tsunami hit Aceh in 2004. On 26 December 2004, a 9.3 magnitude earthquake occurred at the bottom of the Indian Ocean. The earthquake was followed by tsunami waves that combed the coast of Aceh with a height of 30 meters. It was the darkest day for Indonesians, especially acehnese.

At that time, FPI deployed its troops to be deployed throughout Aceh. One of the main actions of the FPI at that time evacuated the bodies of tsunami victims who were strewn across the streets. FPI High Priest Rizieq Shihab even helped the tsunami victims.

According to various sources, FPI worked with the TNI to clean baiturrahman mosque on January 14, 2005. The largest mosque in Aceh was spruced up to be used for Friday Prayers in congregation.

When the earthquake shook West Sumatra in 2009, FPI again helped the victims. Fpi warriors conduct casualty searches and distribute aid. In addition, FPI also provides religious enlightenment and mental recovery for the victims of earthquakes. It is expected that the victims will remain patient and steadfast in the face of trials and given a determination of faith.

In addition, FPI also again volunteered for our natural disasters earthquake with the magnitude of palu. FPI evacuated earthquake victims in Palu. In addition to the evacuation, FPI also distributes logistical assistance.

"There are two teams that handle at our post there. We move day and night. At night they work bring tarpaulins, bring doctors, groceries in circles," said Ali Al Hamid.

Infographic (Raga Granada/VOI)

Action in Palu

At that time, even FPI Central Sulawesi also distributed aid for earthquake and tsunami victims in Palu. FPI Central Sulawesi distributes aid to up to 10 aid trucks.

"Our help has been very much, already tons of incoming and many we channel. If all about 10 trucks," said Dpw FPI Central Sulawesi Chairman Sugianto Kaimudin, citing Detik.

While helping earthquake victims in Palu, FPI got ridiculed, especially from netizens. This is because Kominfo stated a photo of FPI volunteers related to the earthquake in Palu hoaks. At that time, Kominfo referred to a photo showing a number of FPI members helping the evacuation process with the caption "Fast motion FPI volunteers evacuation victims of the Palu 7.7 earthquake"

In fact, FPI itself has never officially stated the photo is a volunteer in Palu. However, the Cominfo statement has received a public response. Netizens also ridiculed FPI, but some criticized Kominfo. However, this did not prevent FPI from continuing to help the victims of the earthquake.

At the end of 2019, DKI Jakarta was rained so heavily that it caused flooding everywhere. In response to the situation, FPI provided relief posts for flood-affected residents in South Jakarta. Flood posts were built a day after heavy rains poured down. One of the posts is in Wijaya, Petogogan Village, Kebayoran Baru District, South Jakarta.

In addition to providing relief posts, the FPI team is known to directly distribute aid to residents affected by floods. Considering there are still many residents who have difficulty accessing out of their homes and trapped by flooding. Assistance provided in the form of rice wraps, instant noodles, medicines, snacks, and clothing.  Located about 500 meters from the FPI post, there is a evacuation post and a public kitchen for residents in Petogogan Village affected by flooding. Precisely in the Indonesian Spiritual Dining Church.

FPI is also human, although it is known to often do things outside the law such as sweeping unilaterally, but on the other hand FPI also humanizes other human beings by helping it. For more than two decades FPI has been conducting humanitarian activities. Volunteering for natural disasters is not easy. We all never know how the location is going. FPI, however, bravely continues to help those in need of help.