FPI Accuses Jokowi Of Ordering TNI To Remove Rizieq Shihab's Billboards

Removal of Rizieq Shihab's Billboards (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The spokesman for the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Munarman suspected that the removal of billboards and banners with the image of Rizieq Shihab by TNI troops was carried out based on the wishes of President Joko Widodo.

This FPI allegation is inversely proportional to the words of the Regional Commander of the Jaya Military Command (Pangdam Jaya) Maj. Gen. TNI Dudung Abdurachman, saying that removing Rizieq Shihab's banner was his order.

"The removal of billboards and the deployment of troops to Petamburan is clearly the state's political policy which is directly decided by the President," Munarman told reporters, Friday, November 20.

This allegation, said Munarman, was based on Article 7 paragraph (3) of Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian National Army. The article states that military operations are carried out based on state political policies and decisions.

"The people certainly know that the removal of billboards is not a military war operation. That means it is OMSP, in which according to law, the TNI moves on the basis of state political decisions," said Munarman.

It is known that a number of videos of people dressed in stripes were seen taking down FPI banners that read 'Under the Command of the High Imam' depicting Rizieq wearing a green turban and wearing a white shirt. The video is 11 seconds long and shows a number of people in striped clothes cutting the ropes that tie these banners to bamboo poles.

Pangdam Jaya Maj. Gen. Dudung Abdurrachman said that this action was on his orders. "There is a striped shirt lowering Habib Rizieq's billboard, that's my order," said Dudung after carrying out the disaster preparedness rally and regional elections at Monas.

This order was issued following a banner depicting Rizieq which had been removed by the Satpol PP but was soon installed again. Moreover, every community who wants to install billboards should obey the applicable rules, including the location for installation and must pay taxes.

"Anyone in this Republic, this is a state of law. Must obey the law. If you put billboards there are clear rules, there are tax payments, and the place is determined. Don't go around as if he is the right one. There is no such thing," he said.