After The Gathering, Rizieq Shihab's Sick News Was Heard

JAKARTA - The Grand Imam of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Rizieq Shihab is reportedly ill and is being treated at the UMMI Hospital, Bogor, West Java. This news was confirmed by Bogor Mayor Bima Arya who had contacted the hospital.

According to the management of the UMMI Hospital, Bogor, Rizieq was treated since Wednesday, November 25 and was treated for fatigue. However, the overall condition of this FPI frontman is in good condition and will continue to be carried out further examinations by doctors.

Bima also said that Rizieq had not yet carried out a swab test to detect COVID-19 in his body because he felt asymptomatic even though he also asked not to visit because he wanted to rest to the maximum.

"According to the hospital, he asked not to be visited because he wanted to rest," Bima said when contacted by VOI, Thursday, November 26.

Although Rizieq felt that he was asymptomatic and did not feel the need to do a swab test, Bima still asked him to do it. This must be done in order to protect the health workers who treat themselves in the hospital.

Moreover, recently, people who met Rizieq Shihab have tested positive for COVID-19.

"I have requested that Habib Rizieq be swab immediately. Even though he has no symptoms, he has interactions with many people," he said.

However, Bima does not yet know whether Rizieq is willing to be tested by PCR or not. "I'm still waiting for his response," he said.

Chairman of the Jakarta Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), Muchsin Alatas, denied reports that Rizieq was ill. When contacted by telephone by VOI, he said Rizieq is currently in good health and even accused Bima's statement of being made up.

"Ah, never mind the Mayor of Bogor, other officials always say that," said Muchsin.

According to him, Rizieq is currently in good health and is preparing a 212 reunion event. Based on the information he conveyed, this event will later be conducted online using the Zoom application.

"Just in good health, no news (illness, red). It's been a long time since I met him, but he's in good health, there's nothing even preparation for 212," he said.

Contacted separately, PA 212 Chairman Slamet Maarif denied that Rizieq was undergoing treatment. Slamet said that Rizieq was limited to checking his general health. "Alhamdulillah, he (Rizieq) is healthy, just a general check," he said.

In addition, Secretary for Legal Aid DPP FPI, Aziz Yanuar some time ago also confirmed that Rizieq was negative for COVID-19. He admitted that Rizieq had run a swab test on Sunday, November 22 and the results were negative.

He conveyed this after a representative from the Tanah Abang Metro Police was sent to urge Rizieq to undergo a COVID-19 swab test on Saturday, November 21. This appeal arose because the FPI frontman was suspected of being sick and had characteristics such as being exposed to COVID-19 after gathering in a number of events including his child's wedding as well as commemorating the Prophet's birthday some time ago.

"Habib Rizieq was tested yesterday (Sunday, November 22, red). The results came out today and were negative," Aziz told reporters, Monday, November 23.

Apart from Rizieq, Aziz also said that Rizieq's family had also tested negative for COVID-19. This result is known from the swab test along with Rizieq's examination. "His wife, children and son-in-law are also negative," said Aziz.

Although the FPI denied that Rizieq was sick, the epidemiologist from Australia's Griffith University Dicky Budiman said that all parties who really feel sick and experience symptoms of COVID-9 must undergo an examination and test. This applies to everyone without exception and it is an important matter.

"Why is it important, this is to ensure their own health, including for their families. If it turns out positive, this is also for tracing people who have close contact," he said when contacted.

"So the obligation is to report to the local government, health centers, and the health office," he added.

Furthermore, he reminded that this reporting was also a form of moral responsibility towards the people he had met, if they were really exposed. "If not, yes, it means he has made efforts to prevent the opportunity or risk of being exposed," he concluded.