GP Ansor: U.S. Interest Drove WSJ's Uighur Silence Report
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Editor
17 December 2019 09:27 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) youth wing GP Ansor chairman Yaqut Cholil Qoumas says United States’ government interest is behind the Wall Street Journal’s report on China’s attempt to suppress criticism on the Uighur Muslim issue from Indonesian religious organizations.
“GP ansor understands how America and their alliance through its entire canals are backing their interests and gains,” sad Yaqut in a written statement on December 16.
Yaqut claims to have received and studied the data regarding the alleged Uighur persecution in China, which he says is economically-motivated. He claims that data shows a number of oil blocks and gas wells are located in Xinjiang.
He further claims there are 30 onshore oil and gas blocks that were offered in 2017 and the issue related to religion, culture, and other social issues overshadows the original intent. He calls for the Wall Street Journal to issue a clarification on the Uighur muslim prosecution news piece.
“This could be about wanting to control lands in Xinjiang that is rich in natural resources,” asked Yaqut.
GP Ansor, he says, has chosen to take careful steps in responding to this issue and calls an immediate clarification from the Indonesian Embassy in China or the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry. The House of Representatives (DPR) Commission III deputy also urged stakeholders to discuss what can or can’t be done by the Indonesian government.
The GP Ansor official said politicizing and pitting Islam against China due to the alleged Uighur prosecution will create complications from an already complicated issue. He says that GP Ansor understands the interest behind China’s invitation for the world to witness the Uighur issue in person and collect key opinions from countries and stakeholders around the globe. “This includes Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) figures, Muhammadiyah, academics, and others,” said Yaqut.
Previously, a report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) entitled ‘How China Persuaded One Muslim Nation to Keep Silent on Xinjiang Camps.’ Where the media suspects China of formally persuading Indonesian Islamic organizations, media, and academics to stop the flow of criticisms.
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