TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) politician Maruarar Sirait deemed the Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifudin failed to implement the vision and mission of President Joko Widodo or Jokowi following his release of the list of 200 preachers.

"In my opinion, the Religious Affairs Minister did not know whom he works for and failed to understand the goals of Pak Jokowi," Maruarar Sirait said at Century Hotel on Tuesday, May 22.

According to Maruarar, Lukman should have acknowledged vision and mission of President Jokowi in the nine priorities program dubbed Nawa Cita which implied in every steps and action of the President.

He considered the policy issued by Lukman was not in line with Jokowi’s intention in trying to embrace various prominent ulema and Islamic organizations.

On the same occasion, the House of Representatives Speaker Bambang Soesatyo called Lukman's decision as a blunder. He assessed the religion issue would be one of political material to be brought up by Jokowi's opponents in the 2019 presidential election because the former Jakarta Governor has been long considered to be less friendly with the Islamic community.

Meanwhile, Lukman Hakim stated he would not revoke the list of 200 preachers released by the Ministry of Religious Affairs considering the list was in response to public demand. He said the list was still the first batch and subject to change.

CAESAR AKBAR | FRISKI RIANA