Thousands of Netizens Sign Petition to Sack Yusron Ihza Mahendra

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Thousands of netizens have signed an online petition urging Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi to sack Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Yusron Ihza Mahendra who criticized Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama with racist tweets.

"Sack racist ambassador,” says the petition, which was made by Adrian Zmith at Change.org on Sunday (3/4).

The petition was met with enthusiasm by netizens who were furious with Yusron’s statement.

As of now, at least 34,000 netizens have signed the petition urging Minister Retno to immediately dismiss Yusron.

In his petition, Adrian wrote that Yusron was considered to have spread hatred with racism.

Yusron was also considered to have done provocation that will lead to conflicts.

"Sign this petition. Fire Yusron Ihza Mahendra as ambassador, #StopRacism."

The online petition has been signed by thousands of petition.

Adrian hopes that the petition would be signed by 50,000 netizens.

It is planned that the petition will be sent to minister Retno as a recommendation for her to dismiss Yusron.

Previously, on Monday (28/3) Yusron tweeted about Basuki as Jakarta Governor.  Through his Twitter account @YusronIhza_Mhd, he called Basuki not to be ‘arrogant’ in his position as Jakarta Governor.

"I call on Ahok not to be arrogant in becoming a leader. I feel sorry for other Chinese who are poor, kind and guilty if they become victims,” he tweeted.

The tweet was met with protest from netizens, including form Basuki himself. Basuki said that it is not appropriate for an ambassador to speak like that.

Basuki has also sent a note of protest to Minister Retno for the statement.

AVIT HIDAYAT