Rizieq's Apology For Huddling Still Does Not Rule Out The Legal Process

Rizieq Shihab (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The leader of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), Muhammad Rizieq Shihab apologized to the public because his supporters created a crowd and created unrest amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The crowd started from Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Cengkareng, Tangerang to the Petamburan area, Central Jakarta.

"I apologize to the whole community if in the crowd at the airport, in Petamburan, in Tebet, in Megamendung there is a buildup which is out of control because of enthusiasm," said Rizeq at the National Dialogue of 100 Ulama and Figures which was broadcast online on Front TV, Wednesday, December 2.

Unfortunately, Rizieq's apology did not become a story for the police to stop their planned investigation. Yesterday, Polda Metro Jaya emphasized that the legal process for the alleged violation of the health protocol for Najwa Shihab's wedding was still ongoing.

"Go ahead, it is circulating in the media that from PA 212 also apologized for the crowd. Please tell the Indonesian people," said Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Yusri Yunus.

Yesterday, Rizieq Rizieq Shihab finally received a summons for examination sent by investigators. They accepted that after three investigators visited Rizieq Shihab's residence.

Previously, the FPI Laskar had always formed barricades to keep out the police. Negotiations took place. After negotiating, they finally gave access to the police. But only one policeman was brought in.

Shortly thereafter, Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigation of Polda Metro Jaya AKBP Calvijn Simanjuntak, who was allowed to enter to convey the summons, left the Gang Paksi which is the residence of Rizieq Shihab.

AKBP Calvijn did not make many statements. He only said if the summons had been delivered. "It has (been accepted)," said Calvijn.

Thus, Polda Metro Jaya investigators have scheduled the third summoning of Rizieq Shihab and his son-in-law, Hanif Alatas on Monday, December 7 next week.

Rizieq's crowd which led to the summoning of a number of parties

Initially, when Rizieq arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday, November 10, a crowd of supporters filled Soekarno-Hatta Airport which led to crowds and resulted in the cancellation of a number of flights due to jammed toll roads since dawn.

The VOI production team covered the moment of Rizieq Shihab's return to Indonesia. VOI dispatched a team to Petamburan. To see a video of the Petamburan atmosphere at that time from an unusual perspective, please click here.

Rizieq then attended the Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad SAW in the Tebet area, South Jakarta on Friday, November 13, 2020, then went to Megamendung, Bogor.

Furthermore, he held a birthday commemoration of the Prophet as well as the marriage contract of his daughter, Najwa Shihab in the Petamburan area, Central Jakarta. The event triggered supporters from various regions and caused crowds.

From the crowd, the police found that there were alleged violations of Law No. 6/2018 on Health Quarantine.

A number of parties were also asked for clarification. Some of them are DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, DKI Jakarta Deputy Governor Anies Baswedan, DKI Jakarta Provincial Government officials, to West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil.