Presidential candidate Number 2, Prabowo Subianto, has received a boost in support from the Indonesian Islamic Boarding School Students Front (Front Santri Indonesia, FSI) which was established by the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI).
Prabowo also says he hopes that the FPI’s “Great Leader” Habib Rizieq Shihab will soon return to Indonesia, preferably before the 2019 presidential election is held.
“[It would be good] if Habib Rizieq can return before I’m elected. If not, I will go and fetch him myself”, said Prabowo at the commemoration of National Santri Day in Bogor, West Java, on Tuesday October 23.
Prabowo expressed his thanks for the support from the FPI santri [religious pupils, Islamic boarding school students] for himself and his vice presidential running mate Sandiaga Uno in the 2019 presidential election. He also invited the santri to monitor the vote count on election day.
“Thank you for your support, thank you. Safeguard the people’s vote, and at the same time safeguard the TPS [polling booths]. We will make big changes through the ballot box. We are starting work from this day. We guarantee Indonesia’s wealth will return and be enjoyed by the Indonesian people”, he said.
Shihab’s fate in Saudi Arabia is still not known. He was recently barred from leaving Saudi Arabia for Malaysia to pursue his doctoral studies.
Because of these problems, Shihab has been unable to return to Indonesia. According to the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Riyadh, Shihab has overstayed his visa.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was Prabowo Harap Rizieq Pulang Sebelum Pilpres: Kalau Tidak Saya Jemput.]
