But, there is one important question. Why is Anies Baswedan constantly attacked with issues of identity politics and intolerance? Even though the facts on the ground Anies Baswedan is very tolerant. Why?
THE ANSWER is because they know that it is impossible to attack Anies Baswedan’s performance. All of Anies’ programs have been proven to provide social justice and are able to make Jakarta residents happy.
“So, there is no reproach if you have to punish Anies Baswedan’s work program,” they claim.
.A public official should watch his speech and behavior. This is because the words and behavior of public officials are public policy itself. Not surprisingly, the name of the Prophet’s hadith is in the form of words and actions of the Prophet.
In the context of modern leadership in the life of the nation, the words and actions of officials must really be measured and guarded. Unable to speak or act at will. Everything that officials say is public policy. Everything that officials do is public policy.
In the context of the modern NKRI political life, we know that there are several officials who often speak harshly and incoherently. Borrowing from folk proverbs, we must have heard the term: how come there is no brake in the mouth? This is to show people who talk, without thinking.
In Indonesia, we know, there was once a governor-class official who spoke nonsense. Surprisingly, he spoke about sensitive matters related to religion. His name is Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or usually called Ahok.
Once upon a time, he had teased Christian teachings. In an official meeting at the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, he once said this: “Christians are ridiculous, they must go to heaven. That Christian teaching is a bit ridiculous. If Islam is more realistic. Still hopefully. Weighing which is the reward and which is the sin. So Muslims don’t dare to claim that they will definitely go to heaven.”
At another time, he talked about “being lied to by using Al Maidah 51”. Similar to the first statement, the statement about lying with verses in the holy book of Muslims was conveyed at the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government’s official event.
These methods are of course the loser’s way. Playing with religious teachings for politics. Without thinking about the impact of these words. In a word, politics like this is like throwing or serving rotten fruit.
He gave rotten fruit to society. And that was done long before the 2017 DKI Jakarta election/gubernatorial election. Ahok has used issues like this since the 2012 regional election.
But amazingly, it seems as if Ahok is a victim of identity politics. Even though he was the one who started playing identity politics. Why did it happen? The answer is the buzzer team behind it that threw the issue. They play the way of playing victim. Being a victim, but a perpetrator.
Before Ahok stepped forward to become deputy governor and then nominated governor, there had never been a political issue regarding the entity for change. This issue arose precisely because Ahok began to spread SARA-like comments.
In a different work meeting, Ahok also made digressive statements with SARA nuances. Video recordings were made and began to circulate in September 2016. So before the 2017 regional elections. The statement goes like this:
“Set up wifi. Later we can make it with the marbot. There’s a wifi password, right? Surah Al Maidah 51 right? The password is infidel.”
No one dared to rebuke him. Even Djarot Saiful Hidayat, Deputy Governor, who was sitting beside him, was laughing too when Ahok made these harsh sentences. If Djarot thinks about unity and nationality, he should have the courage to rebuke Ahok’s decision. Because it is very sensitive.
Ahok too. If he thinks of being a statesman and thinks of unity and peace, he shouldn’t think of that. These remarks actually divided the citizens of the country and divided them.
Unfortunately, he has buzzers that drown out all his actions. Even though in the eyes of public policy or conscience, these words and actions are wrong, they are still defended and considered right.
The buzzers complement the rotten fruit spread by Ahok. The buzzer threw this fruit to other parties and was accused of being a player in identity politics. In fact, Ahok himself started it. Now, the rotten fruit is thrown at the opposing side, especially to Anies Baswedan. In fact, the fruit is stocked by their group.
But, there is one important question. Why is Anies Baswedan constantly attacked with issues of identity politics and intolerance? Even though the facts on the ground Anies Baswedan was very tolerant. Why?
Because they know that it is impossible to attack Anies Baswedan’s performance. All of Anies’ programs have been proven to implement social justice and are able to make Jakarta residents happy. So, there is nothing wrong with criticizing Anies Baswedan’s work program.
Such is their group. Scattered the rotten fruit, then threw it at the other party.
Sulistyanto Soejoso, Resident of East Java
