TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Agus Maftuh Abegebriel commented on Rizieq Shihab’s plan to return home on November 10, 2020.

According to Agus, the visa of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) leader was not extended by the Saudi Arabian government, yet Rizieq was granted a residence permit until November 11, 2020, or nine days after arranging his return at Shumaisi Deportation Office on November 2, 2020.

“The validity period of Rizieq’s visa is still considered to expire on July 20, 2018,” said Agus to Tempo on Thursday evening, November 5, 2020.

Rizieq Shihab, whose status of overstayer, did not get a visa extension but was given a ta'syirat al-khuruj or visa to leave. “This is common for Indonesian citizens who undergo a tarhil or deportation process. This is known as ta'syirat al-khuruj,” he added.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Agus confirmed that Rizieq did not need to pay an overstay fine.

Previously on Wednesday, November 4, Rizieq announced that he would arrive in Indonesia on Tuesday, November 10, claiming he no longer had issues regarding overstaying violations with his visit visa. He also threatened to sue officials who say he overstayed.

Agus broke into laughter in response to the threat. He argued that Rizieq misunderstood the immigration documents provided by the Saudi Arabian government. “It is the Saudi Arabian immigration office that gives the status of overstay of mutakhallif ziyarah. Protest it to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is not us who make such a status,” Agus said.

In the Saudi immigration system, Agus went on, Rizieq Shihab's name is still recorded in Sijil al-Mukhalif or the list of immigration law violators. "It is also written clearly that MRS is included in tasjil murahhal or the list of people who will be deported," said Agus.

Read: Mahfud MD Calls for Rizieq Shihab Followers to Avoid Creating Chaos

DEWI NURITA