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FPI leader questioned for allegedly insulting rupiah
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Islam Defenders Front (FPI) supporters march toward the Jakarta Police headquarters in South Jakarta to support their leader, Rizieq Shihab, who faced police questioning on Monday for allegedly insulting the country’s currency. (kompas.com/Akhdi Martin Pratama)
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slam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab fulfilled a Jakarta Police summons on Monday in relation to allegations that the firebrand preacher had insulted the rupiah in a sermon.
Rizieq arrived at the Jakarta Police headquarters around 11 a.m. and immediately rushed to the police's special crimes directorate, where his questioning was to take place.
He will be questioned regarding a speech that went viral on social media, in which he allegedly claimed the country’s banknotes featured the communist hammer and sickle symbol.
He was reported by the Anti-Slander Youth Intellectual Network (Jimaf) group for allegedly insulting Indonesia’s currency.
Central bank governor Agus Martowardoyo previously rebuffed Rizieq's claim, saying Bank Indonesia’s logo was printed in such a way to protect the money from counterfeiting.
The questioning was overshadowed by a rally staged by hundreds of FPI members in front of the Jakarta Police headquarters.
Hundreds of police officers and soldiers were seen held on standby to secure the rally.
