Indonesia&nbsp;has banned the controversial and politically influential hardline group the Islamic Defender's Front, the chief security minister announced on Wednesday.

The security affairs minister, Mohammad Mahfud, told reporters that the Islamic Defenders Front, known by its Indonesian acronym FPI, had continued to carry out activities that violate order and security even though it was disbanded last year as a mass organization.

The ban follows the November return of the group's spiritual figurehead, Rizieq Shihab, from three years of self-exile in Saudi Arabia, which was celebrated with events attended by thousands.

Rizieq's return to the world's largest Muslim-majority country had fuelled concern within government that he could be angling to harness opposition forces.

The 55-year-old cleric was arrested this month and charged with violating health protocols and remains in custody, while a clash between police and his supporters – in which six of his bodyguards were shot dead – is being investigated by the national human rights body.

Mahfud said the FPI had officially been disbanded since June last year, but had continued unlawfully conducting activities.

Six senior government officials, including the attorney general, police chief and counter-terrorism agency head were involved in the decision to ban the group, he said.

The deputy justice minister, Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej, said the FPI was outlawed because nearly 30 of its leaders, members and former members had been convicted on terrorism charges, and because the group conflicted with the nation's state ideology, Pancasila, which emphasises unity and diversity.

Formed soon after the 1998 fall of former strongman Suharto, the FPI were notorious for raiding bars and brothels and intimidating religious minorities. It is also known for offering assistance during natural disasters.

Its political sway has risen in recent years, particularly after its role in protests in 2016 against Jakarta's former Christian governor who was jailed for insulting Islam.

The government saw the demonstrations as one of the biggest threats to President Joko Widodo's rule.

'Locus of Islamist opposition'

Dr Ian Wilson, senior lecturer in politics and security studies and a research fellow at the Asia Research Centre, Murdoch University, said the ban may prove to be counterproductive.

"Banning the FPI will do little to mitigate the factors that have driven its popularity as a social phenomenon, and is likely to 'radicalise' some members and sympathisers,” he said.

The ban raised questions about enforcement and the implications for democratic expression in the world's third-largest democracy, he said.

Wilson said the decision had to be viewed in the context of recent political developments, including the purging of FPI members and sympathisers from the&nbsp;Indonesia&nbsp;Ulema Council.

"The government is on the offensive against what they see as a potential locus of popular Islamist opposition, sharpened by the recent return of Rizieq,” he said.

"While having a sound legal foundation, the banning is clearly politically driven as well.”

Security analysts have suggested the ban could spark a backlash or force the FPI and its activities underground.

Senior FPI member Novel Bamukmin was defiant, telling Reuters the ban would do little to dampen spirits.

"They can disband FPI but they cannot disband our struggle to defend the country and religion. And if we want, this afternoon we can declare a new Islamic mass organization,” he said,

"If they disband it again, we'll create a new one.”

Indonesia has banned the controversial and politically influential hardline group the Islamic Defender's Front, the chief security minister announced on Wednesday.

Indonesia has banned the controversial and politically influential hardline group the Islamic Defender's Front, the chief security minister announced on Wednesday. The security affairs minister, Mohammad Mahfud, told reporters that the Islamic Defenders Front, known by its Indonesian acronym FPI, had continued to carry out activities that violate order and security even though it was disbanded last year as a mass organization. The ban follows the November return of the group's spiritual figurehead, Rizieq Shihab, from three years of self-exile in Saudi Arabia, which was celebrated with events attended by thousands. Rizieq's return to the world's largest Muslim-majority country had fuelled concern within government that he could be angling to harness opposition forces. The 55-year-old cleric was arrested this month and charged with violating health protocols and remains in custody, while a clash between police and his supporters – in which six of his bodyguards were shot dead – is being investigated by the national human rights body. Mahfud said the FPI had officially been disbanded since June last year, but had continued unlawfully conducting activities. Six senior government officials, including the attorney general, police chief and counter-terrorism agency head were involved in the decision to ban the group, he said. The deputy justice minister, Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej, said the FPI was outlawed because nearly 30 of its leaders, members and former members had been convicted on terrorism charges, and because the group conflicted with the nation's state ideology, Pancasila, which emphasises unity and diversity. Formed soon after the 1998 fall of former strongman Suharto, the FPI were notorious for raiding bars and brothels and intimidating religious minorities. It is also known for offering assistance during natural disasters. Its political sway has risen in recent years, particularly after its role in protests in 2016 against Jakarta's former Christian governor who was jailed for insulting Islam. The government saw the demonstrations as one of the biggest threats to President Joko Widodo's rule. 'Locus of Islamist opposition' Dr Ian Wilson, senior lecturer in politics and security studies and a research fellow at the Asia Research Centre, Murdoch University, said the ban may prove to be counterproductive. "Banning the FPI will do little to mitigate the factors that have driven its popularity as a social phenomenon, and is likely to 'radicalise' some members and sympathisers,” he said. The ban raised questions about enforcement and the implications for democratic expression in the world's third-largest democracy, he said. Wilson said the decision had to be viewed in the context of recent political developments, including the purging of FPI members and sympathisers from the Indonesia Ulema Council. "The government is on the offensive against what they see as a potential locus of popular Islamist opposition, sharpened by the recent return of Rizieq,” he said. "While having a sound legal foundation, the banning is clearly politically driven as well.” Security analysts have suggested the ban could spark a backlash or force the FPI and its activities underground. Senior FPI member Novel Bamukmin was defiant, telling Reuters the ban would do little to dampen spirits. "They can disband FPI but they cannot disband our struggle to defend the country and religion. And if we want, this afternoon we can declare a new Islamic mass organization,” he said, "If they disband it again, we'll create a new one.”

Indonesia bans hardline Islamic Defender's Front group

Dressed in a white robe, turban and a face mask, the Indonesian cleric and&nbsp;leader of the Islamic Defenders Front,&nbsp;Rizieq Shihab, turned himself in following accusations of flouting COVID-19 restrictions.

Shihab walked to the&nbsp;Jakarta police without any hesitations for questioning of accusations of bypassing all restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus by holding mega rallies with huge crowds. "With God’s permission, I can come to the Jakarta Police for an investigation according to the laws and regulations," he said.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-expects-halal-certificate-for-an-experimental-vaccine-348330">&nbsp;Indonesia expects halal certificate for an experimental vaccine</a>

The Jakarta Police has accused&nbsp;him of this crime after he hosted a gathering to celebrate&nbsp;Prophet Muhammad’s birthday and also celebrated his daughter's wedding — attracting huge crowds in both the events,&nbsp;Jakarta police spokesman Yusri Yunus reported.

These two events are not the only ones in which health regulations were ignored. There have been several other events in Jakarta and West Java where large crowds of his supporters gathered to greet the leader who has recently returned from a three-year exile in Saudi Arabia. He was charged in&nbsp;pornography case and with insulting the official state ideology in 2017 when he had visited Saudi Arabia for a pilgrimage to Mecca.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-holds-nationwide-poll-despite-virus-warnings-348525">Indonesia holds nationwide poll despite virus warnings</a>

If proven guilty, Shihab can face a jail time of up to six years for consciously violating health regulations and&nbsp;obstructing law enforcement amid a pandemic.

Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan and West Java Gov. Ridwan Kamil are also being questioned in the matter for allowing Shihab to organise these events amid a pandemic.

As of now, Indonesia has reported a tally of more than 600,000 cases of the deadly virus — making it the first affected&nbsp;country in Southeast Asia and second in Asia, after India's tally of nearly 9.8 million cases.

Dressed in a white robe, turban and a face mask, the Indonesian cleric and leader of the Islamic Defenders Front, Rizieq Shihab, turned himself in following accusations of flouting COVID-19 restrictions.

Dressed in a white robe, turban and a face mask, the Indonesian cleric and leader of the Islamic Defenders Front, Rizieq Shihab, turned himself in following accusations of flouting COVID-19 restrictions. Shihab walked to the Jakarta police without any hesitations for questioning of accusations of bypassing all restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus by holding mega rallies with huge crowds. "With God’s permission, I can come to the Jakarta Police for an investigation according to the laws and regulations," he said. Also read| Indonesia expects halal certificate for an experimental vaccine The Jakarta Police has accused him of this crime after he hosted a gathering to celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s birthday and also celebrated his daughter's wedding — attracting huge crowds in both the events, Jakarta police spokesman Yusri Yunus reported. These two events are not the only ones in which health regulations were ignored. There have been several other events in Jakarta and West Java where large crowds of his supporters gathered to greet the leader who has recently returned from a three-year exile in Saudi Arabia. He was charged in pornography case and with insulting the official state ideology in 2017 when he had visited Saudi Arabia for a pilgrimage to Mecca. Also read| Indonesia holds nationwide poll despite virus warnings If proven guilty, Shihab can face a jail time of up to six years for consciously violating health regulations and obstructing law enforcement amid a pandemic. Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan and West Java Gov. Ridwan Kamil are also being questioned in the matter for allowing Shihab to organise these events amid a pandemic. As of now, Indonesia has reported a tally of more than 600,000 cases of the deadly virus — making it the first affected country in Southeast Asia and second in Asia, after India's tally of nearly 9.8 million cases.

Indonesian leader, Rizieq Shihab, turns himself in for violating COVID-19 restrictions

Six supporters of hard line Indonesian Islamic cleric Rizieq Shihab are killed in a police shootout near Jakarta. Rizieq was scheduled to appear for police questioning on Monday, after failing to appear last week.

Six supporters of Indonesian Islamic cleric killed in shootout

Thousands of supporters continued a warm welcome for firebrand cleric and Islamist leader Rizieq Shihab on Tuesday (November 10) in his Jakarta neighbourhood.

Indonesia: Thousands of supporters welcome controversial cleric back home

Thousand of peoples gathered at Indonesia Airport to welcome their leader Firebrand cleric 'Rizieq Sahib' who was in self-proclaimed exile for the last 3 years.

Firebrand cleric Rizieq Sahibab returns home in Indonesia after 3 years of exile

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Indonesia bans hardline Islamic Defender's Front group

Indonesian leader, Rizieq Shihab, turns himself in for violating COVID-19 restrictions

Six supporters of Indonesian Islamic cleric killed in shootout

Indonesia: Thousands of supporters welcome controversial cleric back home

Firebrand cleric Rizieq Sahibab returns home in Indonesia after 3 years of exile