Rizieq's Billboard Was Removed By TNI Troops, FPI: We Didn't Install It

TNI troops remove Rizieq Shihab's billboards (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the DPP Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Slamet Maarif explained Rizieq Shihab's billboards or banners that were scattered in various regions and ended up being removed by TNI troops, not FPI installed.

According to Slamet, Rizieq Shihab's banners were put up by Rizieq's followers. The banner, according to Slamet, was displayed as a welcome greeting when returning to Indonesia.

"The banners that were removed were not us who put them up, but the people who put them up. The contents of the welcome banner were IB HRS and he was already in Indonesia," Slamet told reporters, Friday, November 20.

Slamet also regretted the attitude of the Pangdam Jaya, which he thought was too judgmental of the FPI. According to him, the TNI should not be pitted against the ulama. However, Slamet did not mention who was the party who pitted the two parties.

"I advise the TNI that the TNI was founded by the ulama (General Soedirman) and has always been united with Muslims. So, the TNI should not be pitted against ulama and Muslims," he said.

Meanwhile, FPI spokesperson Munarman regretted the actions of TNI officials who removed billboards and banners with Rizieq Shihab's picture in various regions.

Munarman said that the removal of billboards was carried out on the orders of President Joko Widodo. He considered that Jokowi's decision would scare FPI members and the people.

"The state's political policy which is immediately decided by the President at this time is the removal of banners and billboards. This will frighten FPI and the people," said Munarman separately.

Munarman said that this action was a military operation other than war (OMSP) which was ordered directly by the president. Munarman also regretted why the removal of billboards was carried out by super elite troops.

"Unfortunately, the troops deployed to Petamburan are super elite troops. Soldiers who are formed to become elite soldiers are expensive for investment. Unfortunately if they are used to frighten the people," 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.

"Whoever is in this Republic, this is a country of law. Must obey the law. If there are clear rules for placing billboards, there is tax payment, and the place is determined. Don't go around as if he is the right one. There is no such thing," he said.