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Arrest Rizieq Shihab for defaming Red-and-White flag: PDI-P lawmaker
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Holy warriors — Islam Defenders Front (FPI) members express their anger during a recent protest. (Tempo/-)
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politician from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has described the emblazoning of the national flag with crossed swords and Arabic script, allegedly by Islam Defenders Front (FPI) members, as a form of national betrayal.
“The FPI has spoiled the symbol and dignity of the state, the Red-and-White flag. The FPI has gone too far. It’s high time for the police to take legal action,” Tubagus Hasanuddin, a member of the House of Representatives, said in a statement on Wednesday.
"There should be no doubt the government must arrest and legally process [FPI leader] Rizieq Shihab,” the former commander of the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) Jakarta garrison said as reported by tribunnews.com.
(Read also: We are not afraid of FPI: PDI-P secretary general)
He said members of the TNI and police as well as veterans would be offended upon learning that the conservative Muslim group had defaced the Red-and-White flag during a rally on Monday.
“Yes, demonstrating is the right of all citizens. But as a retired TNI member, I am offended by the FPI’s act [defacing the flag],” he added.
A video showing FPI members flying the flag during a rally in front of the National Police headquarters in South Jakarta has gone viral.
Police have said they will investigate the incident.(jun)
