TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Rachland Nashidik, spokesman of Jakarta gubernatorial candidate pairing Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) and Sylviana Murni, has lamented a video snippet of Agus going rounds on social media showing his interview with a media outlet. The video snippet was inserted with additional scenes purportedly to attack and give the wrong impression about Agus’ intellectual ability.

“We are disappointed by the black campaigns against Agus Yudhoyono shared massively on social media and messaging platforms,” Rachland said in a written statement on Friday, December 30, 2016.

Rachland said that the public have to know that in the real interview with the media outlet, Agus questioned the notion that eviction is the only solution for the problems faced by Jakarta, including floods. He said that Agus is capable of make Jakarta better without conducting eviction. In the interview, Agus argued that it was possible to build houses on river.

According to Rachland, Agus noticed that several countries have already adopted the concept of floating house on river. “There is nothing new about the idea of building houses on river,” he said.

Rachland, however, said that Agus can’t be blamed for the lack of knowledge of others on certain issues, including the fact that President Joko Widodo had proposed the construction of floating apartments on Ciliwung River in 2012. He said that the lack of knowledge of people who made the video that mocked Agus is their own problem.

Rachland explained that Agus did not say that the concept of floating villages is his ultimate solution for the problems faced by Jakarta. According to him, Agus will earnestly study various alternatives to eviction. He said that Agus is against black campaigns and will consistently avoid them. He said that Jakarta is home to many that shall not be undermined by hostility and malice. He said that Jakarta must be taken care with solidarity and empathy.

DANANG FIRMANTO