IN FOCUS: The fight against Jakarta’s devastating yearly floods Toggle share menu
Advertisement
IN FOCUS: The fight against Jakarta’s devastating yearly floods The Indonesian government is exploring multiple options to contain the worsening floods, but there are obstacles including climate change and illegal settlements.
Aerial picture of an area affected by floods, next to Ciliwung river in Jakarta, Indonesia January 2 2020, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. (File photo: Antara Foto/Nova Wahyudi/via REUTERS)
08 Feb 2021 05:00PM) Share this content
Bookmark
JAKARTA: As thunderous clouds roll in from the sea, Jakarta residents brace themselves for a familiar scenario.
Firebrand: Rizieq gesturing to supporters during a mosque inauguration in Bogor in November. AFP
VIGILANTE group Islamic Defenders’ Front (FPI) has enticed ex-members of disbanded Muslim hardline group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) to join them, and conducted army-like training for young recruits.
The revelation came as police released more details of what happened during a shoot-out between police and FPI leader Rizieq Shihab’s bodyguards last week.
“They recruited the die-hard types from Garut, Sukabumi, Bogor to train in Megamendung to become laskar (paramilitary troops), ” said a senior government official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“This is high militancy and calls for a prompt action.”
Rizieq Shihab was declared a suspect and detained in relation to a Nov 14 mass event. - AFP
JAKARTA (The Straits Times/ANN): Indonesian vigilante group Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) has enticed ex-members of disbanded Muslim hardline group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) to join them, and conducted army-like training for young recruits.
The revelation came as police released more details of what happened during a shoot-out between police and FPI leader Rizieq Shihab s bodyguards last week. They recruited the die-hard types from Garut, Sukabumi, Bogor to train in Megamendung to become laskar (paramilitary troops), said a senior government official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
A win for Malaysian PM Muhyiddin as budget is passed by Parliament
Amid swirling controversies about weakening support for this government, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin scored a win with his government s first federal budget - and the biggest in the country s history - being ratified by Parliament.
In all, 111 MPs voted for it compared to 108 who voted against. The Prime Minister has the slimmest parliamentary majority in the country s history. The RM 322.5 billion (S$105 billion) budget will now be sent to the Upper House, the Senate, to be ratified, although that is more of a formality.
Earlier this week, speculation was rife that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim might make another attempt to secure the backing of several government MPs. While in a surprise move, Malaysia s former two-time prime minister Mahathir Mohamad teamed up with his former rival of 30 years, Umno lawmaker Razaleigh Hamzah, just ahead of the budget vote.
Indonesian vigilante group Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) has recruited former members of the disbanded Muslim hardline group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) and conducted army-like training for young recruits.
The revelation came as the police yesterday released more details of what happened during a shoot-out between officers and the bodyguards of FPI leader Rizieq Shihab last week. They recruited the die-hard types from Garut, Sukabumi, Bogor to train in Megamendung to become Laskar (paramilitary troops), according to a senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. This is high militancy and calls for a prompt action, the official added.
FPI runs an Islamic boarding school in Megamendung, West Java province, in the famous Puncak area about 1½ hours drive from the capital Jakarta.