TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Presiden Joko Widodo (Jokowi) met with the ulema from the Alumni 212 Brotherhood (PA 212), or former 212 protesters, on April 22. The PA 212 Advisory Board chief Eggi Sudjana said the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab was made aware of the meeting.
"Habib Rizieq ordered his team to demand Jokowi's promise," Slamet said at the PA 212 Secretariat, Thursday, April 26.
The promise is related to the criminalization of the ulema and the possibility of Rizieq’s return to Indonesia safely.
Read: Fadli Zon Comments on Jokowi`s Meeting with Alumni 212 Members
According to Eggi, Rizieq is a tolerant figure and can communicate well, denying the notion that the FPI leader has a harsh character. He claimed Rizieq, as an ulema, has the rights to give advice to the president.
Eggi said the meeting was held to discuss the national issues. The PA 212 ulema requested the meeting with Jokowi to give advice and feedbacks relating to the recent issues in the country. "We're here to remind [the president] and our relationship is good."
Earlier, photos of the meeting between ulema of PA 212 and President Jokowi circulated. When confirmed, Jokowi said that the meeting was a common thing as to strengthen the relationship between the government and ulema.
CHITRA PARAMAESTI
