Indonesian Islamic bodies demand government's consistency in closing vice centers

Some 200 persons from various Islamic organizations demonstrated in front of the City Hall here on Thursday, demanding government consistency in closing vice amusement centers during the fasting month of Ramadan.

Indonesian news agency ANTARA quoted Achyar Bachtiar, a coordinator of the demonstration, as saying that he did not discount the government's formal procedure in closing the vice centers.

"However, if the government is slow to move, it is only normal that we exert pressure," Achyar said.

He also expected the people to follow in close scrutiny the media reports in order to prevent misunderstanding on the significance of the demand to close the vice centers.

The Muslim petitioners further called on amusement businessmen not to provoke open conflicts with the Islamic believers.

Besides, they asked the people to step up alertness against the possibility of lost generation as a result of behavioral deviations, such as drug addiction and the likes.