Sandiaga on Bahar Defamation Case: We Must Mind Our Language

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice Presidential hopeful Sandiaga Uno expressed his views on the police reports filed against Islamic preacher Muhammad Bahar bin Smith, who reportedly insulted president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. 

Sandiaga said he had not listened to the preacher’s complete sermon but called on every member of the society to contribute to keeping the political atmosphere cool. 

Read: Jokowi Campaign Team Responds to Bahar Defamation Case 

“In a situation ahead of the presidential election, we surely must be watchful of what we say in public and help calm the circumstances,” said Sandiaga Uno at GOR Bulungan in South Jakarta today. 

The Islamic preacher, Bahar bin Smith, was recorded insulting the president at a sermon he delivered during the Maulid Nabi commemoration in Batuceper, Tangerang, on November 17. 

Read: Jokowi Mania: Free Speech Doesn't Mean Free to Throw Insults 

The 60-second footage displayed Bahar inticing the audience to undo president Jokowi’s pants to confirm whether the president is having his period—mockingly saying that the president was a shemale.

According to Sandiaga Uno, preachers should focus their sermons on inspiring peace and refrain from statements that could stir conflicts. However, he asked the police to carefully handle the case considering that the preacher has many followers that might potentially be a source of a new conflict.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI