Christians Under Attack

Police said the theme of the event did not violate the anti-pornography law as alleged by opponents.

Bintan Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Dwi Sulistiyono told The Jakarta Post on Friday that the event, which would be held at the Nirwana Garden Resort in the Lagoi International Tourism Zone, would go on as scheduled.

“In response to objections by a number of groups, the police will increase security for this events,” Dwi said.

He added that it was normal for people to wear bikinis on the beach.

“Furthermore, we were told that the event is not open to the public. The large signboards [advertising the party] are just to enliven the event,” he said.

Dwi added 100 police officers would be deployed at the event.

The head of the Riau Islands branch of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Tengku Azhari Abbas, told the Post on Thursday that the MUI was shocked to learn the event would be held on Bintan, despite the fact that the ethnic Malays in Bintan and the Riau Islands are mainly Muslim.

He claimed the event would have a negative effect on the public, so the MUI was strongly opposed to it.

Event organizers expressed confidence the event would take place as scheduled despite the protests. They said the exclusive nature of the venue was added value as it prevented disturbances.

Nirwana Garden Resort general affairs and administrative director Anton told the Post that those invited to the event had been told the dress code was white bikinis.

Fashion TV booked all 400 rooms at the Nirwana Garden Resort. The event is expected to draw 800 people. Fashion TV had requested a venue that could hold 1,000 guests.

“All the rooms are fully booked for tomorrow’s event. Guests who are not accommodated here can stay in other resorts in Lagoi,” Anton said.

“Nirwana Garden provides the venue. The event is fully organized by Fashion TV. The setting is white, including the dress code for guests. We don’t know when Fashion TV will air the event,” he said, adding that guests would come from Singapore and Jakarta.

The event will also feature top disc jockeys from Jakarta and Singapore as well as local musicians.

Anton said the event would begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Guests from Singapore are expected to travel by the daily ferry from Singapore’s Harbour Front Center to Bandar Bintan Telani Port. The port is located in the Lagoi area and is fully managed by Bintan Resort Cakrawala, the operator of the Lagoi International Tourism Zone.

 

 

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