Indonesian cleric's mass rallies anger Jokowi amid COVID crisis

Two police chiefs fired for not 'upholding health protocols' at Shihab events

Muslim cleric Rizieq Shihab, leader of the Indonesian hardline Islamic Defenders Front, gestures to supporters as he arrives to inaugurate a mosque in Bogor on Friday. © AFP/Jiji

ERWIDA MAULIA, Nikkei staff writer

November 17, 2020 14:52 JST

JAKARTA -- Just a week after returning from exile in Saudi Arabia, an Indonesian Islamist leader is already creating a stir by holding mass gatherings of Muslims despite the country's coronavirus crisis.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has hit out at the events featuring Muhammad Rizieq Shihab, and two senior police officials have been dismissed for allowing the rallies to take place.