Rizieq's Political Value: Why Do So Many Politicians Put Up Bodies For Habib?

The crowd welcoming Rizieq Shihab in Petamburan on 10 November (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - Leader of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Rizieq Shihab has been detained by the police. Rizieq was detained after being questioned for ten hours on a case of violating the health protocol in Petamburan. A number of politicians took to the arena. Some are even willing to put up their bodies to guarantee Rizieq. What is the importance of Rizieq for politicians? What is the value of a Rizieq politically?

Aboe Bakar Al-Habsyi became the earliest politician to install bodies. The member of Commission III of the House of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction is ready to serve as a guarantee that Rizieq's detention will be suspended. Aboe has even communicated the move to Rizieq's attorney.

Aboe is sure that Rizieq will not lose any evidence, let alone run away, as the police have an objective reason for detaining Rizieq. In addition, Aboe is also sure that Rizieq will not repeat the actions that are suspected of him.

"I am ready to be the guarantor for the suspension of his detention, this is of course in accordance with the provisions of Article 31 of the Criminal Code, in which the suspect can be submitted for a suspension of detention," Aboe, in a written statement, was quoted as saying Monday, December 14.

Aboe assessed that the alleged violation of the health protocol should not even be the reason for Rizieq's imprisonment. Aboe was referring to the 2020 Pilkada Serentak which also created a large crowd.

Apart from Aboe, Gerindra Party politician, Habiburokhman, also expressed his willingness to be Rizieq's guarantor. Habiburokhman admitted that he was sure that Rizieq would not run away.

"Good Mr. Kapolri, this is outside the context of the substance of the crowd case and outside any political context. I am sure that Habib Rizieq will not run away and I am willing to guarantee the suspension of his detention," wrote his Twitter account, @habiburokhman.

General Election Commission (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

Habiburokhman's partner Fadli Zon also stated that he was ready to install a body. Like Aboe, Fadli also saw the injustice in the Rizieq case and the 2020 simultaneous regional elections.

"If there was a violation against the crowd that occurred at that time, then a fine was paid according to the applicable regulations," said Fadli in a video on his YouTube channel.

Indeed, as Aboe and Fadli said, the 2020 simultaneous regional elections also recorded many health protocol violations. According to the records of the COVID-19 Task Force, there were 178,039 violations of health protocols in the 2020 simultaneous regional elections.

"It could be that HRS is the first person to be detained because of health protocols," Fadli Zon.

Rizieq Shihab at Polda Metro Jaya (Wardhany Tsa Tsia / VOI)

[/ read_more]

Rizieq Shihab's political values

Rizieq's greatness can not only be seen from his perspective as a religious leader. Rizieq is also a political magnet.

Political observer from Al Azhar Indonesia University (UAI) Ujang Komarudin said Rizieq was so valuable electorally. This is what makes Rizieq so important to be held by politicians.

There are two ways to see the number of politicians who have joined forces for Rizieq today. If you look at the names Fadli Zon, Habiburokhman, and Aboe Bakar Al Habsyi, these three are parties "supported" by Rizieq during the 2019 Election contestation, even the 2017 DKI Jakarta Pilkada.

This action by pairs of bodies can be seen as a political reciprocation that has been agreed upon from the start between Rizieq and the related political parties. Rizieq, in Ujang's eyes, still has a special relationship with Gerindra or PKS.

"Yesterday, the choice was Prabowo. Politically, the party seems closer to PKS," said Ujang, contacted by VOI, Monday, December 14.

Rizieq Shihab at Polda Metro Jaya (Source: Antara)

Apart from the past contestation, the second perspective is of course the 2024 Election. Safeguarding Rizieq's side is important for many political parties today. If today Gerindra and PKS are outspoken, maybe tomorrow figures from other parties will follow suit.

"HRS still has a magnet. It has a lot of masses. So it is much needed by politicians and political parties," said Ujang.

"HRS can become a granary for the political parties that overshadow these politicians."

What is clear, the two variables above are only appropriate from a profit perspective. Fluid politics, the dynamics will depend on interests.

So, it is no longer appropriate to see Rizieq as merely a religious figure or leader. There is another point of view, that Rizieq has fantastic bargaining value as a political tool. Everyone, including Rizieq's sympathizers, must be aware of whether they like it or not.

"It's a political relationship. A relationship of interests. If the interests are the same, it will collaborate. And if it is different, it will split."

[/ read_more]