TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) deputy chairman Anwar Abbas rebutted issues that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo reminded him not to speak out loud or criticize the government. The statement was made in response to remarks at the Opening of the 2nd MUI Community Economic Congress on Friday, December 10.

“I was really surprised when reading the news that I had been reminded by Pak Jokowi not to speak out loud and criticize him. That is not true at all,” said Anwar in a written statement, Monday, December 13.

When giving a speech at the event, Anwar did mention that he was reminded not to speak out loud. “I was reminded earlier, Pak Jokowi, ‘Pak Anwar Abbas, don't say it out loud',” he said.

However, the reminder came from his colleagues at MUI, instead of the President and was even conveyed in laughter. “Then I told them, don't be afraid, Pak Jokowi is already immune to criticism,” he added.

The Muhammadiyah chairman said he often voiced criticisms and inputs to the President in several meetings. Anwar opined that Jokowi is not an anti-critic.

“Even during a meeting at the palace, the State Secretary Minister approached me and said that what I said earlier had been noted by the President. This indicates that Pak Jokowi can accept my criticism and inputs,” Anwar remarked.

On that basis, Anwar continued to criticize the government during his speech, starting from issues on the national Gini ratio up to assistance for MSMEs by banks, which were responded to directly by the President at the same event.

When Jokowi was about to leave the event, Anwar said they talked of points of his criticism, and Jokowi pledged to solve them. “Don't make this country look like it's about to collapse, while in fact, Pak Jokowi and I were [fine and] laughing,” said Anwar Abbas.

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DEWI NURITA