Jakarta – The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, or PDI-P, has rejected a request from firebrand cleric and Islamic Defenders Front leader Habib Rizieq Shihab to resolve his dispute with the party through mediation.

Idham Samawi, PDI-P's central leadership board chairman, said on Saturday (21/01) the party's lawsuit against the cleric will be resolved through the court.

"We are a law-abiding nation. A legal dispute should be resolved through the court. As they say, you will reap what you sow," Idham said in Jakarta.

Idham said PDI-P will not compromise when it comes to protecting Indonesia's state ideology, Pancasila. "No debate when it comes to Pancasila," he said.

Rizieq had already been imprisoned twice for inciting hatred in 2003 and 2008. The cleric has toned down his voice after urging the police to mediate with those who have filed reports against him, as well as visiting the House of Representatives to argue his case and sought support from lawmakers.

Rizieq is currently facing five separate charges, including blasphemy, insulting Pancasila, hate speech and claiming that the new rupiah banknotes feature a concealed hammer-and-sickle logo of the long-disbanded Indonesian Communist Party or PKI.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/no-mediation-habib-rizieq-pdi-p/