TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Communication Agency member of the Gerindra Party Central Board (DPP) Andre Rosiade deplored the statement by the President Joko Widodo or Jokowi to his volunteers at Jokowi’s volunteer general meeting.
“Gerindra deplores Jokowi’s statement, asking his volunteers to be brave if they are invited to fight,” Andre said in a short message received by Tempo on Sunday, August 5.
Andre said the statement could encourage violence. Jokowi previously briefed his volunteers at the Sentul International Convention Center, Bogor, West Java, Saturday, August 4.
Jokowi asked his volunteers not to start hostility, denounce, slander, and demonize others. “But if being invited to a fight, be brave,” said Jokowi.
Jokowi also asked his volunteers to work harder than the political opponent in the 2019 presidential election.
“I ask the volunteers to work hard. If they [political opponent] are militants, we must be more militant. If they work hard, we must work harder. If they unite, we must unite more,” he said.
According to Projo (Pro Jokowi) Chairman Budi Arie Setiadi, Jokowi’s statement was not excessive. The president, he said, only pumped up the spirit of volunteers to be more militant.
“The President’s statement is appropriate and good for pumping up the power struggle in the midst of hoaxes and slander with fake data,” said Budi Arie.
FRISKI RIANA