FPI chief ignores police summons
Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Islam Defenders Front (FPI) chairman Al Habib Muhammad Rizieq failed to respond on Wednesday to a summons issued by Jakarta Police in connection with Monday's anti-U.S. rally outside the legislative building, which ended in violence.
Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam said that since Rizieq failed to appear, police would issue a second summons.
"We will issue a second summons. If he fails to show up again, we will issue a third summons ... then, should he remain defiant, we will have to forcibly take him into custody," Anton told The Jakarta Post.
Rizieq is now officially a suspect for allegedly violating Article 156 and 154 of the Criminal Code regarding provocation and denunciation, and also Law No.9/1998 on demonstrations, he added.
Police had earlier named 12 protesters as suspects for ignoring police orders to disperse during the demonstration, which took place on a national holiday.
Meanwhile, Rizieq claimed that he had never received a verbal or written summons from the police and he, therefore, refused to appear at Jakarta Police Headquarters on Wednesday.
"The police have never summoned me in writing, nor verbally. I don't think I'm violating anything and I refuse to appear before the police without a proper announcement," he told the Post.
He also denied reports that his organization had filed a law suit against police and demanded Rp 300 million in material losses. He said his organization was only interested in upholding the law and not in material causes.
However, the FPI does intend to file a lawsuit against National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro for the violence inflicted upon demonstrators during Monday's protest.
"We will demand Bimantoro's resignation ... we recorded 50 of our members who were severely injured at that time. This cannot be tolerated," he remarked.
After the police took stern action against the protesters on Monday, the city remained calm with no large-scale demonstrations.
FPI vowed to continue their protests throughout the city until the Indonesian government severs diplomatic ties with the U.S.. "Until that happens, we will continue to fight for our cause," Rizieq said.
On Wednesday, city police detective chief Sr. Comr. Adang Rochjana provided compensation for three photo journalists whose cameras and car were damaged by the police when they were covering Monday's clash.
Lamhot Aritonang, a photographer for Pantura received Rp 15.6 million for damage to his Nikon F 2 camera, while Dadang Tri from Reuters received Rp 64 million for damage to his Nikon F 5.
Police also gave Rp 12 million to Supriyatin, also from Reuters, whose car was vandalized by the police.
Lamhot and Dadang were among four journalists beaten by police when they were covering Monday's demonstration. The other two were Medo Malianza from Metro TV and Agung Nugroho from Indosiar.