REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BOGOR  -- People's Consultative Assembly speaker Zulkifli Hasan  said Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) leader Habib Rizieq Shihab would not run in 2019 presidential election. He assessed, as the frontman on 212 Rally, would not go into political sphere.

"He (Habib Rizieq) is an ulema. He surely will not run in 2019 election as presidential candidate," said Zulkifli on Wednesday (March 28).

Zulkifli said Habib Rizieq as an ulema has a very important role in keeping the unity of people and Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). He hoped Habib Rizieq will be consistent in performing his role in da'wah. Thus, it makes Indonesian Muslims always unite.

Habib Rizieq Shihab votes in the Jakarta gubernatorial election at Polling Station 17, Petamburan, Tanah Abah, Central Jakarta.

"Hopefully Habib Rizieq can always unite us," said Zulkifli who is also the chairman of National Mandate Party (PAN).

Also read: Prabowo to run in General Election 2019: Fadli Zon

Habib Rizieq's name recently emerged as one of the candidates for 2019 presidential election. The encouragement has came from many members of group that called themselves as Alumni 212.

In addition, Habib Rizieq's name also appeared in the survey conducted by National Media Survey Institute (Median). According to the survey, Habib Rizieq gained 0,3 percent of electability. The survey was conducted in last February, involved 1,000 respondents.

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