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.
Malaysian PM says Gus Miftah’s case shows arrogance can also arise in preacher
Anwar shared a message with ministry officials, emphasizing that this should serve as a valuable lesson.
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)
M
alaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has pointed out that sometimes arrogance can arise not only among those who lack religious knowledge, but even from a preacher.
Anwar’s remarks came in response to a viral video of Miftah Maulana Habiburrahman, also known as Gus Miftah, an Indonesian preacher who faced harsh criticism on social media for insulting a tea seller.
In a broadcast on Malaysia Gazette TV, Anwar said the viral story of Gus Miftah and the Indonesian tea seller, Sunhaji, caught his attention.
"He [Gus Miftah] caused widespread anger among the public, prompting President Prabowo Subianto to make a rather strong statement, which led the preacher to visit the tea seller's area and apologize," said Anwar, as quoted by kompas.com.
Speaking at an event at the Malaysian Finance Ministry in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, Anwar said that the tea seller is among the less fortunate.
Anwar shared a message with ministry officials, emphasizing that this should serve as a valuable lesson.
On Wednesday, numerous media outlets in Malaysia widely reported the statements made by the preacher, who was appointed as the Special Presidential Envoy for Religious Harmony and Religious Facility Development.
After receiving intense rebukes on social media, Gus Miftah officially announced his resignation from his position. He said he received no pressure to resign as a special presidential envoy.
"I made this decision not because I was pressured by anyone, not because of anyone's request. I made this decision out of my deep respect, love and responsibility toward President Prabowo Subianto and the entire society," said Miftah in Sleman, Yogyakarta, on Friday afternoon, as quoted by cnnindonesia.com.
