Indonesian President on Rizieq Shihab’s Arrest: Law and Order Must be Enforced

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesian President Joko Widodo responded to the arrest of Rizieq Shihab by asserting that law and order must be enforced.

Rizieq, the leader of the radical group Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), surrendered himself to authorities on December 12 and will be detained until December 31.

Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo emphasized his point in response to the six FPI supporters who were gunned down on December 7 in addition to the Sigi terror attack in Central Sulawesi on November 27.

“The law must be followed and enforced. For what? To protect the people’s interest, protect our people and nation.”

Read also:  Indonesian Government Scrapped Plans to Reconcile with FPI

Furthermore, the Indonesian President defended law enforcement officials stating that it is their duty to uphold order and that they are protected by the law in carrying out their duties.

For that reason, Jokowi said that citizens should not undermine the justice system.

“No citizen in society shall purposefully disobey the law, which undermines the people especially if it endangers the country and its citizens. Those in law enforcement cannot back down.”

Furthermore, the Indonesian President reassured that officials conduct their duty in accordance with regulations and with respect to human rights in mind.

In a situation where there is a difference of opinion on how law enforcement is supposed to be enacted, Jokowi reminded all parties to adhere to existing procedures and the system determine the outcome.

Read also: Jakarta Metropolitan Police Arrest FPI Chief Rizieq Shihab

“If necessary, we can involve our independent body such as the National Commission on Human Rights where citizens can file their complaint.”

“Let me say this. We must uphold justice and legal standing in our country as the foundation of Indonesia’s progress.”

The shooting of Rizieq Shihab’s sympathizers involved six individuals who were gunned down and killed by police at the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road on December 7.

Jakarta Metropolitan Chief Inspector General Fadil Imran explained that the group of 10 individuals had allegedly attempted to attack on-duty officers involved in an investigation linked to Rizieq Shihab.

“Officers whose lives were at stake from the attack retaliated in a calculated and firm move towards the group believed to be Rizieq supporters, which led to six suspects dead,” said Fadil.

The Sigi terror attack case has since drawn numerous questions over the necessity to open fire, thus bringing to light allegations of extrajudicial killing on the part of enforcement officials.

Read also: Jokowi Strongly Condemns Terror Attack in Central Sulawesi

Family members of the supporters who died filed a complaint to the Indonesian House of Legislative over matters that they found odd.

The Sigi terror attack involved the gruesome murder of four individuals by unknown assailants in Central Sulawesi on November 27 which has been denounced by the Indonesian President. Seven houses were also burned down by an unidentified individual.

Based on the interrogation carried out by Indonesian police from five witnesses, there were around 10 unidentified people believed to have carried out the gruesome act.

The witnesses expressed their confidence that at least three of the unidentified persons were members of the terrorist group, Mujahidin East Indonesia, after being shown a list of persons believed to be terrorists.

(Writer: Fitria Chusna Farisa | Editor: Bayu Galih)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/12/13/14354771/tanggapi-kasus-fpi-rizieq-shihab-dan-sigi-jokowi-hukum-harus-ditegakkan?page=all#page2