Use Voting Right and Tackle Hoaxes, President Jokowi Says
President Jokowi delivers his speech when attending Silaturrahim Alim Ulama to commemorate Nahdlatul Ulama’s birthday, at API Asri Islamic Boarding School, Tegalrejo, Magelang Regency, Saturday (23/3). (Photo by: Rahmat/PR)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo invited Islamic students and all citizens who have the right to vote to use it in the upcoming General Election (GE) on April 17 and to tackle hoaxes surrounding the GE.
“The participation of voters must be as high as possible so that this fiesta of democracy which we spent trillions of money on, really gives benefits for our country. We will get the leaders we wanted, both in legislative and presidential elections,” Jokowi said during his visit on Saturday (23/3) at the API Sports Stadium of Asri Islamic Boarding School, Tegalrejo, Magelang Regency, in an event called Silaturrahim Alim Ulama (Ulemas Amicable Gathering) to commemorate the Birth of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
President Jokowi also encouraged the people to raise awareness to cast their votes.
Regarding the organizing of the GE, President Jokowi invited the Ulemas participating in the event to tackle slanders and hoaxes which were widely spread on social media and by word of mouth.
The President admitted that he was silent for too long, and passively ignored the spread of the issues. Therefore, he decided that it was the time for all of us to tackle hoaxes together.
The President went further to give examples of hoaxes such as the abolition of religious education, the ban on adzan (calling for prayer), the legalization of same-sex marriage and adultery.
“These are something unlogical but the people still believe them. These matters should be taken care of carefully.” said the President.
According to President Jokowi, whoever the President is, the future leader would not dare to do any of them since Indonesia which has the largest Muslim population in the world still upholds religious norms and values, as well as ethics.
“These are groundless hoaxes. But we must educate the public. If we keep on being silent, these hoaxes will be intensified,” said the President. He also reminded people attending the event that these hoaxes are dangerous for the country, and the upcoming GE. (DNA/RAH/ES)
Translated by : Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Edited by : Rany A. Subachrum, Lulu Wuliarti
