The National Police has removed Jakarta Metro Police Chief Nana Sudjana from his post in what was said to be a direct consequence of authorities’ failure to prevent a huge turnout to Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab’s homecoming last week.
In a press conference this afternoon, National Police Spokesman Argo Yuwono said Nana, as well as West Java Police Chief Rudy Sufahradi Novianto, have been dismissed from their duties.
“There were two regional police chiefs, from Jakarta and West Java, who failed to uphold health protocols, so they were sanctioned with dismissals,” Argo said.
Nana has been reassigned as an expert staff coordinator at the National Police. The Jakarta Metro Police is now headed by former East Java Police Chief Fadil Imran.
Though Argo did not make a clear reference to Rizieq’s homecoming crowd as the direct cause of Nana and Rudy’s dismissals, he did mention that several public officials, including Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, may be investigated for possible violation of Indonesia’s health quarantine law after Rizieq was able to hold a wedding for his daughter in Jakarta over the weekend, which was attended by thousands.
Rizieq was fined IDR50 million (US$3,540) for holding the crowded event, which he has reportedly paid.
Rizieq touched down at Soekarno-Hatta Airport last Tuesday, ending his more than three-year exile in Saudi Arabia escaping charges related to pornography, and was greeted by thousands of his followers.
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Rizieq also held an event in Bogor, West Java following his return, which also drew thousands of supporters.
Crowded gatherings are prohibited during partial lockdown measures in Jakarta and West Java, and law enforcers have been under immense fire for their failure to enforce the ban on Rizieq and his supporters.
