Indonesian Army Joins the Rizieq's Commotion
Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Dudung Abdurachman has revealed that he had ordered his subordinates to take down banners depicting Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Habib Muhammad Rizieq Shihab in several locations in the capital. A video recently appeared on social media showing several people wearing Indonesian Military (TNI) uniforms taking down banners showing images of the controversial cleric.
"They acted based on my order," Dudung said on Friday (11/20). According to him, the regional army had to step in because The Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) had initially taken down the banners because they did not have permission and do not pay local taxes, but FPI supporters later came to reinstall them.
He said the TNI would continue its operation to take down banners depicting Rizieq, as there should not be banners campaigning for a "revolution" or any other similar rhetoric. The two-star general warned the cleric and his supporters that he would not hesitate to take a more stern approach, including demanding the disbandment of FPI, if they attempted to threaten the country's unity.