'Just a Matter of Time' Before Rizieq's Suspect Status Is Resolved: Police
Jakarta. The National Police said they are still gathering evidence and witness testimonies in their investigations of several cases against Rizieq Shihab, leader of the Islamic Defenders Front, or FPI, before they will decide whether to name him a suspect.
Police earlier announced the start of the investigation phase in two of the cases against the firebrand cleric. One involves his alleged insult against the official state ideology of Pancasila, and the other a claim that there is communist logo on the new Indonesian banknotes.
West Java Police confirmed on Thursday (19/01) that they would soon summon Rizieq for further questioning, as the investigation against him related to his alleged insult against Pancasila proceeds.
His status in both cases will be announced soon.
"It is just a matter of time," Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim) chief Sr. Comr. Ari Dono Sukmanto said in Jakarta on Thursday.
National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar earlier said investigators will ensure that all evidence, including witness testimonies, legal facts and statements from experts, are complete before deciding to name Rizieq as a suspect.
"Investigators will then name the suspects," Boy said. "So [they can still name more suspects] based on the developments and legal facts obtained in the investigation."
Boy said the headquarters of the Jakarta Police and West Java Police will be able to coordinate any necessary measures if Rizieq is named a suspect in both cases. The alleged insult against Pancasila was reported in Bandung, West Java, while the report about his comment related to the new banknotes was made in Jakarta.
"No problem. Both can be done simultaneously. However, if the substance of the two cases is similar, the cases may be combined. If it is different, they will be handled independently," Boy said.
Call for FPI's Disbandment
Meanwhile, at least 400 supporters of the Indonesian Grassroots Society Movement (GMBI) and several other organizations participated in a rally against the FPI in Bandung on Thursday.
Speaking during the rally, former President Sukarno's daughter Sukmawati Sukarnoputri urged the authorities to disband the FPI. She previously reported Rizieq to the police for his alleged insult against Pancasila.
Also present at the rally was GMBI chairman Fauzan Rachman, who said the FPI often engages in acts of intolerance, which result in a divided nation.
"[This rally] is a display of unity that shows West Java opposes intolerance and anti-Pancasila [agitators]," he said.
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