No Talks About Rizieq Shihab in Saudi Meeting with Mahfud MD
Translator
Ricky Mohammad Nugraha
Editor
Markus Wisnu Murti
Senin, 25 November 2019 20:30 WIB
Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Indonesia Essam bin Abed Al-Thaqafi. TEMPO/Egi Edyatama
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Indonesia Essam bin Abed Al-Thaqafi met with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD in Central Jakarta on Monday, November 25.
Following the anticipated meeting, Al-Thaqafi asserted the meeting did not discuss Rizieq Shihab’s return to Indonesia.
“We did not mention that matter in the meeting,” said Al-Thaqafi after the meeting that roughly lasted for 45 minutes.
The ambassador said he mainly discussed the bilateral ties between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia and the long-term relations formed between the two, especially following Mahfud’s recent appointment as coordinating minister.
Al-Thaqafi also mentioned about Saudi’s partnership in hosting the annual Islamic conference and the planned arrival of Saudi Arabian representatives to travel around Indonesia.
Rumors of Rizieq Shihab’s return were once rife after the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader claimed to be banned by the Indonesian government from returning to Indonesia.
