FPI Claims Rizieq Shihab As A Family Is Negative For COVID-19

Rizieq Shihab while at the Gadog intersection, Ciawi, Bogor, West Java some time ago (Arif Firmansyah / Antara)

JAKARTA - Secretary of the DPP FPI Legal Aid, Aziz Yanuar, said that the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Grand Imam, Muhammad Rizieq Shihab, has undergone a swab test. As a result, Rizieq Shihab was called negative for COVID-19.

"Habib Rizieq was tested yesterday (Sunday, November 22). 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.

Aziz said that the swab test that Rizieq and his family took was not facilitated by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force. The test is conducted by the MER-C (Medical Emergency Rescue Committee) organization.

"We have a team from MER-C. He has complete equipment. They came here (Rizieq's residence in Petamburan) to do a swab test," he said.

Previously, Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief Kombes Heru Novianto said Rizieq Shihab would undergo a COVID-19 swab independently, after reportedly falling ill a few days after crowds broke out on the day of his son's marriage contract.

Heru said this after his representative met Rizieq at his residence, Jalan Petamburan III, Central Jakarta.

"They said they wanted to carry out an independent swab," said Heru.

Heru said a number of representatives from the Tanah Abang Metro Police were sent to urge Rizieq to undergo a COVID-19 swab test on Saturday, November 21. This was done after receiving information that Rizieq was sick with the characteristics of being suspected of being exposed to COVID-19.

However, Rizieq could not be found on the grounds that he was taking a break and did not receive guests. So, the police only appealed to Rizieq through his envoy from the front of the house fence.