Rizieq's Health Question Mark Refusing A Swab Test From The Government

Rizieq Shihab returns from Saudi Arabia to Petamburan, Jakarta (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Grand Imam of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Rizieq Shihab continues to be in the spotlight despite the alleged violation of the health protocol (prokes) which is currently being investigated by the police. This time, Rizieq is a concern for refusing to undergo a swab test or a COVID-19 swab test.

Originally, Rizieq was asked to undergo a swab test because he was involved in the crowd. It is noted that when he arrived in Indonesia, to be precise at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, until his daughter's wedding on November 14, Rizieq was always in the crowd.

So, it is feared that he will transmit or contract COVID-19. Moreover, several people who joined the crowd that Rizieq attended in Megamendung, Bogor were declared to have contracted the virus from Wuhan, China.

Rizieq was also reportedly sick after the series of events. He was treated at the UMMI Hospital (RS UMMI), Bogor, since Wednesday, November 25.

Mayor of Bogor, Bima Arya, confirmed that Rizieq was treated at the hospital. This was discovered after communicating with the hospital.

"I have communicated with the leadership of Ummi Hospital. That's right, Habib Rizieq was admitted (to the hospital) yesterday," Bima Arya told VOI, Thursday, November 26.

But about Rizieq's condition, Bima could not explain it in detail. This is because the team of doctors is still examining it. However, from the information obtained, the FPI frontman is in good condition.

The reason Rizieq Shihab was hospitalized was due to fatigue. It is possible that his stamina has decreased because of the activity after arriving in Indonesia from Saudi Arabia.

"An examination has been carried out, and so far his health condition is good. But it will continue to be observed," he said.

Rizieq Shihab while attending the Prophet Muhammad SAW's birthday event in Petamburan, Jakarta (Capture the screen from the YouTube channel Front TV)

Although Rizieq's condition was said to be good, Bima asked the FPI leader to undergo a swab test. The goal is to ascertain whether Rizieq is negative or positive for COVID-19. After the results were known, the government could decide what to do next because Rizieq made contact with many people.

But based on a report from the Bogor City Health Office Team, the family of the FPI High Priest refuses to have Rizieq undergo a swab test. In fact, there was no mention of the reason why they rejected it.

"I received a report from the Health Service Team who came to the UMMI Hospital this afternoon to discuss the swab test with Habib Rizieq," he said.

"I will go to the hospital to ask for clarification, why refused," he continued.

Later, the Bogor City COVID-19 Handling Task Force reported the President Director and Management of the Bogor City UMMI Hospital to the Bogor City Police, allegedly obstructing and obstructing the task of the COVID-19 Task Force in tackling the spread of infectious diseases.

The Head of Law Enforcement and Discipline of the Bogor City COVID-19 Task Force, Agustiansyah, said that in Bogor City, Saturday, the report to the Bogor City Police was made after waiting for an appointment made by the UMMI Hospital Management but not being fulfilled.

FPI's claim regarding Rizieq Shihab's condition

With the issue that Rizieq Shihab was sick and had to be hospitalized, the General Chairman of PA 212, Slamet Maarif, strongly denied this. He said Rizieq was in good health.

The FPI frontman came to the hospital only for a regular check-up. So, the issues that are circulating are not true.

"Alhamdulillah, he (Rizieq) is healthy, just a general check," he said.

Secretary of FPI DPP Legal Aid, Aziz Yanuar explained, the reason behind the family's refusal to have Rizieq undergoing a swab from the Bogor City Health Office team was because he had already been tested for swabs.

Aziz said Rizieq had carried out a swab test on Sunday, November 22. But Rizieq does not like it if the results are disseminated. The reason is, the results of the examination are only for personal consumption.

"Alhamdulillah, he is healthy (Rizieq's condition). He refuses to be published (the results of the swab) in accordance with the Law and Human Rights," he said.

Rizieq left the hospital

Yesterday, Sunday, November 29, it was reported that Rizieq was not at the UMMI Hospital. West Java Police Public Relations Head Commissioner Erdi A Chaniago said Rizieq did leave the house and left the UMMI Hospital at around 21.00 WIB on Saturday, November 28.

"This is being investigated by the Bogor Police. The information is like that, that the patient at Ummi Hospital (Rizieq Shihab, red) at 21.00 WIB, Saturday night, November 28, was out," Chaniago told reporters, Sunday, November 29.

He said it was suspected that Rizieq had walked out of the back door of the hospital. Rizieq's departure, which was allegedly carried out in secret, was also unknown to the COVID-19 Handling Task Force.

Some of the information gathered also states the same thing. Based on the admission of a hospital security officer, Rizieq exited through the back door of the hospital which was a medicine warehouse. However, it is not certain that the vehicle carrying the FPI frontman.

After finding out about the departure, the security then checked the room where Rizieq was being treated and it was true that he had left the UMMI Hospital.

FPI lawyer Azis Yanuar. According to him, Rizieq came home because he was already healthy. He refused to say that Rizieq had run away from the hospital.

"Habib Rizieq Shihab (currently, ed) has returned home," said Azis.

UMMI Hospital (Photo: Antara)

The government has criticized it

The government criticized Rizieq's move. Rizieq is considered not cooperative about the implementation of this swab test.

The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) said, the High Imam of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Rizieq Shihab does not need to refuse the implementation of the swab test if he feels healthy.

"If you feel healthy you should not mind," said Mahfud.

Mahfud said that the swab test which was carried out as a contact tracing step actually had benefits because he often attended events that were crowded with his supporters.

"This is for the sake of mutual safety, especially since Rizieq is a figure who is often in the crowd. He could be infected," he said.

Furthermore, Mahfud said that testing, tracing, and treatment or what is commonly called 3T is a step to control the transmission of COVID-19 besides the implementation of 3M, namely using masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands.

This should also be done by anyone, including Rizieq Shihab.

"This is a humanitarian and non-discriminatory action. So that anyone is obliged to support it. The government will take firm steps and actions for anyone who violates provisions that endanger public safety and health," he said.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD