Gus Dur's Yenny Wahid Asks Police to Not be Allergic to Sarcasm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The daughter of late Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur, Zanubah Arrifah Chafsoh who is known as Yenny Wahid, encouraged state institutions to not be overly sensitive in responding to criticism and sarcastic humor.

Yenny said humor is one of the nation’s strengths. 

“It’s not only one institution that is being criticized in Indonesia. Nearly every institution in our country has been subject to jokes. House of Representatives (DPR) legislators often become the humor by comics, presidential institutions, cabinet ministers, and many more. That is normal,” said Yenny Wahid Thursday, June 18. 

She further encouraged state institutions to turn criticism delivered through humor into a vessel that enables for self-introspection. Yenny believed state institutions, in general, would be more respected by the public if they are able to respond to jokes maturely. 

Previously reported, a North Maluku resident, Ismail Ahmad, was summoned by police over a Facebook post that quipped the police institution which read: 

“There are only three honest police: a police statue, a speed bump (which is called polisi tidur or 'sleeping police' in Indonesian), and General Hoegeng.”

Ismail Ahmad cited the popular quote that was originally said by Gus Dur during his lifetime as Indonesia’s fourth president.

Read: Gus Dur's Legacy

HMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI