Award For Gatot Nurmantyo Called For Silence Critics, Mahfud Denies

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD emphasized that the awarding of the title Bintang Mahaputera to former TNI Commander Gatot Nurmantyo was not a form of silencing those who were critical of the government.

According to Mahfud, the title was given to Gatot who was also the Presidium of the Coalition for Action to Save Indonesia (US) because he had served himself as TNI Commander.

"The commander is a member of the cabinet. All cabinet members who have served in the government until one period is over will receive the Mahaputera Adiprana Star, except for the National Police Chief and the Commander. , "said Mahfud in his video statement, Thursday, November 5.

The former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) then explained that actually many people who are critical of the government have received a similar title. One of the names he mentioned was the former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti.

Moreover, on November 11 or when the Mahaputera Star is handed over, there will be a number of other ministers who have served in the Indonesia Work Cabinet for the 2014-2019 period such as Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi.

"So the Mahaputera Star gift to GN was not timely, it's strange. It's not strange because he is a member of the cabinet along with the others," he said.

"Pak Jokowi's cabinet members should have been given in August, but because there was too much time. There were various institutions and medical personnel, so it was postponed and made into November because it could not pass from December," he added.

With this explanation, he then asked the people not to get into all kinds of politics. This includes suspecting that the government has silenced its critics. "There is no business of silence, no matter of discrimination, this is his right to get it," he said.

Previously, Mahfud said that the awarding of Gatot Nurmantyo, who is also the Presidium of the Coalition for Action to Save Indonesia (WE), would be held to coincide with the commemoration of Heroes' Day on November 10-11.

Apart from Gatot, there is one other name who will win this title, namely Arief Hidayat. Then there are two other people who will receive the title of national heroes, namely SM Amin and Sukanto.

It is known, Gatot had indeed served as TNI Commander from 2014 to 2018 and was replaced by Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto.

Since he stepped down, Gatot has often held opposing views of the government. In addition, he also formed WE, which is known as an organization that often criticizes President Jokowi's government.

As for what is meant by Bintang Mahaputera, it is an appreciation for the outstanding services of a figure in various fields who are beneficial to the progress, welfare and prosperity of the nation and state.

Apart from Gatot, President Joko Widodo has also given the same title some time ago to his two critics, Fahri Hamzah and Fadli Zon. Both were given the title Bintang Mahaputera because of their contributions as members of the legislature and had served as top leaders in the Indonesian Parliament.