Rizieq’s arrest no progress for Indonesia’s religious minorities
5 February 2021
Author: Yohanes Sulaiman, Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani
Firebrand and head of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Muhamad Rizieq returned to Indonesia from his exile in Saudi Arabia on 10 November 2020. To show off his political clout, his return was greeted by a throng of supporters who have since held half a dozen large crowded events. His return has raised concerns that his command over many loyal followers will embolden radicals to launch a self-proclaimed ‘moral revolution’ in Indonesia.
President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo responded by demanding security authorities ‘take firm action’ against anyone violating COVID-19 guidelines. His instruction led the National Police to sack the police chiefs of West Java and Jakarta for failing to stop Rizieq from breaking health protocols. The police then decided to act, summoning Rizieq for questioning over breaches of health protocols. Rizieq
Author: Yohanes Sulaiman, Indonesian National Defense University
Indonesia’s third presidential debate on foreign policy, held on 22 June, presents both good and bad news for observers of Indonesia’s upcoming election. The good news is that neither candidate rocked the boat. They committed to maintaining the status quo, saying they would continue current president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s policy of a ‘thousand friends and zero enemies’. Read more… 2
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