APSN | Another police report filed against FPI's Rizieq Shihab

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Another police report filed against FPI's Rizieq Shihab

Jakarta Globe - December 31, 2016

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Jakarta – An interreligious youth organization known as Rumah Pelita reported Rizieq Shihab for alleged hate speech on Friday (30/12), adding to a long list of allegations against the leader of the hardline Islamic Defenders' Front, or FPI.

The group accuses Rizieq of having violated Article 156 and Article 156a of the criminal code by committing hate speech and blasphemy.

"Rumah Pelita filed a complaint against Rizieq Syihab to the Jakarta Police for a peaceful Indonesia. We reported a religious speech he made in Pondok Kelapa, East Jakarta, in which he mocked the Christian belief," group spokesman Slamet Abidin said.

Slamet said since Indonesia is a nation based on law, every element of the nation, and every religion or mass organizations should promote tolerance and diversity.

"Do not recklessly mock the beliefs of others, and refrain from using certain edicts based on religious teachings to make fun of what others believe," he added.

The organization said freedom of speech should not be interpreted too wildly and bluntly as it may lead to defamation of other religious groups. Rumah Pelita believes the police will follow up its report.

Rizieq was recently reported to police for defaming Indonesia's first president, Sukarno, and for insulting Christians. The first report was filed by Sukarno's daughter, Sukmawati Sukarnoputri, while the second report was filed by the Indonesian Catholic Students Association (PMKRI).

A group of Muslim students calling themselves the Student Peace Institute, also reported Rizieq to the Jakarta Police for hate speech.

Student Peace Institute director Doddy Abdallah said Rizieq's recent public remarks regarding Christmas constituted hate speech and could damage religious harmony in Indonesia.

Several watchdog organizations and experts have called on the National Police to fast track their investigations against Rizieq.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/another-police-report-filed-fpis-rizieq-shihab/.