Rizieq Shihab And His Son-in-law Did Not Fulfill The Police's Call, Where Did They Go?

Rizieq Shihab (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Grand Imam of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Rizieq Shihab and his son-in-law, Hanif Alatas did not fulfill the examination as witnesses in a case of alleged violation of the health protocol (prokes) at Najwa Shihab's wedding in Petamburan, Central Jakarta.

Rizieq Shihab's absence from questioning was said because he was still in the recovery process. Rizieq was originally released from the UMMI Hospital in Bogor, after undergoing treatment.

"Still resting, we know that he had just returned from the UMMI Hospital, Bogor, after resting there so he is still recovering," said FPI lawyer Aziz Yanuar to reporters, Tuesday, December 1.

Meanwhile, Hanif Alatas did not attend due to other activities. But there was no detailed explanation about the activities that caused Hanif not to fulfill the summons for investigation.

"Sorry we have not been able to fulfill the summons because Habib Hanif already had a schedule when he was called," said his lawyer, Kamil Pasha.

In their absence, investigators will reschedule the second examination. Their statements are considered important by investigators to make clear the case of the alleged violation of the prokes.

Head of Public Relations at Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Yusri Yunus, said investigators plan to schedule their second examination on Thursday, December 3. Later, investigators will broadcast summons against them.

"We scheduled it for Thursday, December 3, we made another summons, a second call," said Yusri.

It is possible that Rizieq will still not fulfill the second summons. Through his lawyer, Aziz Yanuar, Rizieq is said to still have to recover his condition.

Aziz has conveyed it to investigators and they understand Rizieq's condition. But it is not certain whether a second examination will still be scheduled for Thursday or whether it will be changed.

"We have said earlier and Alhamdulillah the investigators really understand Habib Rizieq's human and privacy in restoring his health while resting," he said.

Rizieq Shihab during his daughter's wedding in Petamburan, Jakarta (Capture the YouTube channel Front TV screen)

Rizieq's whereabouts is unknown

Even though he explained the reasons for Rizieq's absence from questioning, Aziz did not mention the existence of the FPI Grand Imam. He refused to explain Rizieq's whereabouts when asked by reporters.

"I am resting and apologize for the place because I cannot reveal his privacy," he said.

Rizieq's whereabouts are still unknown. The last time his existence was known was while undergoing treatment at Rumah Sakir UMMI, Bogor.

But since Sunday, November 29, Rizieq's whereabouts are no longer known. He reportedly "escaped" from the hospital.

Rizieq allegedly walked out of the back door of the hospital. Rizieq's departure was allegedly carried out in secret.

FPI lawyer team member Ichwan Tuankotta said, after leaving UMMI Hospital, Rizieq was at his daughter's residence in Sentul, West Java.

Rizieq is there to visit his grandchildren. But for now, Ichwan also doesn't want to open his mouth about the FPI leader.

"So it's not Habib Rizieq's house in Sentul, but the house of his daughter Habib Rizieq and he visits his grandson here," he said.

The Issue of Criminalization of Ulama Emerges

FPI called Rizieq's examination an act of criminalization. In fact, FPI will even oversee Rizieq's examination process.

Responding to this issue, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko emphasized that there has been no attempt to criminalize ulama in handling cases of suspected health protocol violations.

So, he appealed to all parties so that there is no need for a show of strength from certain groups in this regard.

"From the beginning I have said that there is no criminalization of ulama. Those who are criminalized are those who have mistakes and that has been through an investigation and may be upgraded to investigation and so on," said Moeldoko.

Moeldoko said that no one in Indonesia is above the law. All the guilty parties will of course be processed according to the applicable rules. Law enforcers do not discriminate in determining whether a person is in contact with the law or not.

"I urge everyone to understand about it. So for that we urge together, there is no need to use force, no need to threaten and so on, because the state also has the power to face it. So there is no need for that, because the state also does not want to face such a situation," he said.

That way, Moeldoko emphasized that all parties must take part in protecting the country. So that conditions in Indonesia will be safe and secure. And the government's responsibility is to create a stable, safe situation and protect all Indonesian people.

"So I urge friends not to step down. Just leave it to the police, law enforcement, to solve this, to clear everything. Do not develop the stigma of criminalizing ulama, because it is actually mobilizing emotions for certain interests, political interests," he explained.