GP Ansor Slams Holywings Management over 'Blasphemous' Liquor Ad

CANTIKA.COM, Jakarta - The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) youth wing organization GP Ansor on Monday demanded a public apology from Holywings management after the nightlife business establishment controversially issued a social media marketing campaign that offered free liquor to customers named Muhammad and Maria. 

GP Ansor chairperson for the Jakarta branch Muhammad Ainul demanded Holywings not only issue an official apology on social platforms, but also a public apology from its owners and management. He also lamented how the brand’s higher-ups are seemingly evading responsibility despite two written apologies online. 

“We urge the Holywings management to appear in public and make a public apology,” said Ainul in a statement on June 27.

The Jakarta GP Ansor will continue to pressure authorities to close down the business establishment located in the Capital City of Jakarta. They also expressed appreciation for how the police swiftly handled the situation, especially after a number of suspects were named in relation to the case. 

In response to the public backlash against the liquor marketing campaign, renowned lawyer and one of Holywings’ investors, Hotman Paris Hutapea, reminded people that the brand employs 3,000 people across Indonesia, and that closing down Holywings branches will have a great economic effect. 

He also argued that the entire establishment should not suffer from the misconduct of a few members, said Hotman Paris, especially after the South Jakarta Metro Police had already named suspects.

“This is the misconduct of a few people, let them be processed by the Metro Police. And don’t forget the most important part is that Holywings employs nearly 3,000 workers,” said Hotman Paris in a telephone interview on Sunday, June 26.

"Of these 3,000, approximately 2,850 employees are Muslims, and I as an investor will definitely not allow this because Hotman is one of the Christian Indonesians who is very close to Islam," said Hotman.

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI 

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