TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Gus Miftah’s conduct doesn’t align with Prabowo’s values: Gerindra Party
The Gerindra Party is calling on Gus Miftah to apologize for mocking an iced tea seller during a religious event in Magelang, Central Java, causing uproar among citizens.
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Gus Miftah (Instagram/gusmiftah)
T
he Gerindra Party has called on the Special Presidential Envoy for Religious Harmony and Religious Facility Development Miftah Maulana Habiburrahman, popularly known as Gus Miftah, to apologize after mocking an iced tea seller during an event in Magelang, Central Java, on Nov. 20.
According to Gerindra, Gus Miftah's remarks were not in line with the teachings and values upheld by President Prabowo Subianto.
"With all due respect, we kindly ask Gus @gusmiftah to apologize to the iced tea seller. What Gus did is not in line with what Pak @prabowo wants and teaches. Thank you," the party’s official Instagram account @gerindra posted on Tuesday evening.
Along with the caption, the party posted a clip of Prabowo's speech in which he expressed great respect for street vendors as they work hard to support their families.
Through the post, Gerindra hopes that officials will follow Prabowo's example and avoid hurting others.
Gus Miftah is currently under scrutiny by netizens for making inappropriate remarks toward a seller who was selling iced tea to the attendees of a religious gathering.
His comments quickly sparked numerous protests and condemnation from the public. Rumah Politik Indonesia director Fernando Emas even called on Prabowo to dismiss the preacher.
"President Prabowo should remove Gus Miftah from his position as the Special Presidential Envoy so that he can freely carry out his activities as a preacher. We don't want him to become a burden to President Prabowo because of his belittling remarks toward small vendors," Fernando told sindonews.com on Wednesday.
Fernando said that Gus Miftah's statement demeaned the dignity of a vendor who was simply trying to make a living.
Gerindra's Instagram account was flooded with similar comments from netizens, urging Gus Miftah's dismissal from his position. These demands were voiced in several posts on the party's Instagram page.
Following incessant criticism from netizens, as well as a direct reprimand from Cabinet Secretary Maj. Teddy Indra Wijaya, Gus Miftah apologized on Wednesday for causing the commotion.
A rather popular preacher for his controversial approach, Gus Miftah has drawn criticism from the public on several occasions.
Your Opinion Matters
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Enter at least 30 characters
0
/ 30
Thank you
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
