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Ahok demands dismissal of ambassador for racist remark
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Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama attends a NasDem Party event at Istora Senayan in Jakarta on March. 20. (Antara/Puspa Perwitasari)
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akarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama is on the warpath against what he claims was a racist remark made on Twitter by Ambassador to Japan Yusron Ihza Mahendra, whom he demanded be fired by Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi.
Yusron, who is the brother of Jakarta governor hopeful Yusril Ihza Mahendra, wrote on his Twitter account that “Ahok should not be arrogant. Pity the destitute, good Chinese-Indonesians who could become victims.”
"I have sent people to Minister Retno to say that this type of ambassador should not be a [representative of] Indonesia," Ahok said on Wednesday.
Ahok said Yusron’s statement was disrespectful, particularly because it was made by an Indonesian ambassador.
Ahok also accused Yusron of using religion to attack him. "Even God is not racist. You are a Muslim and I am a Christian, we breathe the same air. If God deems Christians to be infidels, He may just kill me now," Ahok said.
Previously, Ahok accused Yusril him of discrediting him by falsely claiming that the Jakarta administration would demolish the ancient Luar Batang Mosque in North Jakarta. According to a recent survey, Ahok is the strongest Jakarta gubernatorial candidate while Yusril is his closest contender. (bbn)
