© 2017 brilio.net/Jefri Aries
Remember when Islamic Defender Front chief Rizieq Shihab was always on your screen TV, mobile phone and computer because he was always making news or had things to say?
That was not long ago, wasn't it?
But now, it seems that Rizieq is M.I.A. as nobody knows where he is orwhat he's doing right now.
Rizieq is being sought after by the Jakarta Police as he already failed to show up twice for questioning as a witness in a pornography case the one involving a series of raunchy messages and photos ofhim and a woman named Firza.
Jakarta Police SpokespersonSr. Commr. Argo Yuwono said on Monday that they would issue a warrant.
"We'll issue the warrant on Monday and send investigators to find him,"he said.
But as Rizieqs whereabouts is still unknown, Jakarta Police might need to take a further step.
Argo said to Jawa Pos that the police is planning to work with Interpol to get Rizieq if he remains missing.
Well do it step by step and by procedure, he said.
But whether Jakarta Police will use Interpols force depends on the investigatorsworking on Rizieqs cases decision as one has to be named suspect and fugitive before the police can issue a red notice.
Well work it out, but for now lets look for him. If hes really not in Indonesia, then we can take the next step, Argo said.
What we know so far about Rizieq's travel plan
On April 27, Rizieq was known to go on Umra (pilgrimage) in Saudi Arabia, but has not returned to Indonesia since.
While he was there, he demanded that Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) to visit him there as he felt he was being 'terrorized, criminalized and intimidated' in Indonesia.
But then, Rizieq was said to move to Malaysia to work on his doctorate dissertation at the Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM).
FPI spokesperson confirmed to Kompas yesterday afternoon that the cleric is still in Malaysia with his staff named Muchsin.
(Muchsin) is still with him (Rizieq) abroad, he always accompanies Habib Rizieq giving sermons, he said.
Muchsin was also sought by the police as a witness for the same pornography case.
Meanwhile, Rizieqs lawyer, Sugito Atmo Prawiro, revealed the reason why Rizieq disappeared.
Actually, Habib wanted to return, but (he saw that) the law has been a tool of power and politics, he thought that he needs a new strategy to fight that, he said to Kompas. He understands that the authorities are using the police to pressure (him). The ones in power are mad because Ahok lost his case and sent to jail, thats all.
(brl/red)
