We highly regret the incident. Hence, it needs to be investigated profoundly and independently.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The United Development Party (PPP) has called for an independent investigation into the shooting of six members of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) at the Jakarta-Cikampek KM 50 toll road early on Monday.

"We highly regret the incident. Hence, it needs to be investigated profoundly and independently," PPP secretary general Arsul Sani said in a written statement released on Tuesday.

He said the PPP has approached the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), which has the legal mandate to look into the incident as it involves the right to life.

“Komnas HAM must exercise its authority to conduct an independent investigation, without prejudice, into both the police officers involved in it (the shooting) and the FPI members falling victim to it and still alive,” Sani said.

PPP wants the case to be settled through legal channels, he added.

Komnas HAM had earlier announced it has formed a team to “profoundly” study the information developing in the public domain and obtain facts from parties over the shooting of six FPI members.

Komnas HAM commissioner for monitoring and investigation, Choirul Anam, noted in a written statement released on Monday that the rights body has received several explanations from the FPI and is studying them in-depth.

"To strengthen the disclosure of the incident, we hope all parties would be cooperative and transparent. We also pin such hopes on the police," he remarked.

The Jakarta Metropolitan Police had announced earlier in the day that its officers had shot dead six guards of FPI leader Rizieq Shihab for attacking on-duty investigation officers.

The shooting took place at 00:30 a.m. local time on Monday on the Jakarta-Cikampek KM 50 Toll Road, Jakarta Police chief, Inspector General Fadil Imran, revealed.

The incident reportedly occurred when officers were probing information linked to an alleged mobilization of masses over which Shihab was to be grilled by the Jakarta Police.

The Jakarta Police had summoned Shihab for violating the COVID-19 health protocols on group gatherings during his daughter's wedding, which coincided with the maulid (the day marking the birthday of Prophet Muhammad).

"When officers of the Jakarta Metro Jaya Police followed vehicles suspected of carrying MRS (Shihab) followers, the officers' vehicle was intercepted and then attacked with firearms and sharp weapons," Imran informed.

The Jakarta Police chief confirmed that of the 10 attackers, six were shot, while four others fled.

Imran confirmed that no policemen were injured, though their vehicle was damaged after it collided with the attacker’s vehicle and in the ensuing exchange of fire.

However, the FPI dismissed claims its members attacked police officers, saying they were unarmed.

"FPI members do not have firearms. A shootout is impossible," Munarman, the general secretary of FPI, noted. (INE)


Related news: Rights body's fact-finding team probes alleged shooting of FPI members

Related news: Jakarta Police shoot dead Shihab's six guards for attacking officers

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Translator: Abdu Faisal/Suharto
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