North Sumatra Governor Sparks Controversy Over Ukraine Invasion Remark

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - North Sumatra governor Edy Rahmayadi on June 6 stirred controversy after making a comment on the Russian military aggression against Ukraine as he took the role as a keynote speaker for the third Sumatranomic event held by Bank Indonesia in Medan. 

At the time, the governor who is no stranger to controversies implied that he would have launched the military forces earlier if he was in Vladimir Putin’s position. He mentioned this as he explained the province’s economy amidst the dynamic global situation and eventually said that the Eastern European war did affect the economy in the region. 

“[The Russian invasion of Ukraine] had a little effect. I was asked about my opinion regarding the economy after Ukraine was attacked by Putin, I’d say that I would have attacked Ukraine three years earlier,” said Rahmayadi. 

Unsurprisingly, his comment garnered criticism, namely from Dahnil Azhar, the spokesperson for Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto. He called the comments from the governor despicable and as a public official goes against Indonesia’s stand on the war. 

“Excuse me Mr. @RahmayadiEdy as Governor and public official, that statement is very inappropriate and unnecessary. Indonesia's attitude is clear, maintaining world peace mandated by our Constitution," Azhar wrote in his Tweet on June 7.

During a press conference at the Russian Embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday, June 8, the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Lyudmila Vorobieva was asked to comment on Edy Rahmayadi’s statement who placed himself in Vladimir Putin’s position. 

“I would just like to comment that I am certain the President knows the situation well, and that was his decision on when to launch the military operation,” the Russian ambassador said. 

Daniel Ahmad

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