Mahfud MD Explains The Reason For Not Opening The Reconciliation With Rizieq Shihab

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD (Photo: polkam.go.id)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD revealed the reason for the government not wanting to open the door of reconciliation with the Grand Imam of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Rizieq Shihab.

Through his Twitter account @mohmahfudmd, Mahfud said the government had actually planned to open a dialogue before Rizieq arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday, November 10.

"Actually, the night before MRS (Muhammad Rizieq Shihab) landed, November 9 at 19, I invited the MRS Legal Team (Sugito and Ari). I invited to arrange a friendship in a neutral place to dialogue with the MRS to protect the country and work together for good. people, "Mahfud said in his tweet quoted on Saturday, December 12.

Explanation: Actually, mlm before MRS landed, on 9/11/2020 at 19, I invited the MRS Legal Team (Sugito and Ari), I invite you to arrange silaturrahim in a neutral place to have a dialogue with the MRS to protect the country and the people together for the good of the people and the people. https://t.co/EO1v6JWVGh

- Mahfud MD (@mohmahfudmd) December 12, 2020

However, Rizieq actually proposed a reconciliation requirement in the form of the release of a number of parties who are now suspects in legal cases.

"But what was the answer? The first day he gave a loud speech," Wants reconciliation on the condition that the government frees the convicted terrorist, releases the criminal suspect by name ", he said.

For this reason, the government then decided to cancel the reconciliation because Rizieq's request was considered excessive. "After all, we haven't asked for high conditions yet," he said.

"So I emphasize that the Government does not plan to reconcile with the MRS," he said.

Previously, after arriving in Indonesia some time ago, this FPI leader admitted that he was ready to reconcile with the government. However, he gave conditions that must be met, one of which was the release of several police prisoners.

"If we want dialogue, want reconciliation, ahlan wa sahlan. We are ready for dialogue, we are ready for peace, we are ready to live without commotion. But free our ulama, our habibs, free our figures. There are still many of our ulama who suffer in prison," he said.

"Free Ustaz Abu Bakar Ba'asyir who is already old, free Habib Bahar bin Smith who was wronged, free Doctor Syahganda Nainggolan, free Mr Anton Permana, free Jumhur Hidayat. Free first, free them first, free workers first, free students, free demonstrators , free students who until now have filled the detention rooms. Free them first, "he added.