Deputy Minister Of Religion Responds To Gus Elham Kissing Girls: Inappropriate

Deputy Minister of Religion, Father Muhammad Syafi'i, stated that Mohammad Elham Yahya Luqman's behavior or commonly called Gus Elham who kissed girls was inappropriate, especially by someone who was considered a religious leader.

"We agree with the public that it is inappropriate," said Father Syafii as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, November 11.

Previously, photos and campaign movements circulated condemning Gus Elham's behavior on social media. In the photo of the campaign movement, Gus Elham's collage is kissing girls.

Many netizens consider it disgusting and inappropriate to be done by someone who is considered a religious leader. However, there are those who think of it as an expression of affection.

Father Syafii explained that the Ministry of Religion has strict guidelines regarding child-friendly environments in madrasas and Islamic boarding schools through a Decree of the Director General of Islamic Education.

"There is a decree from the Director General of Pendis regarding child-friendly madrasas and pesantren which essentially means that madrasas children, pesantren children get the fulfillment of their rights as students and are far from acts of violence that they should not accept," he said.

"Of course, these cases may still exist, yes, but we agreed that in the future the supervision would be further improved so that the incident could avoid it," said the Deputy Minister of Religion.

Responding to questions regarding the possibility of summoning or tracing related parties, Father Syafii said supervision and control were part of the Ministry of Religion's steps to ensure exemplary in religious public spaces.

"Earlier we conveyed, the supervision included that, so that it does not happen again. In fact, there must be an effort to return to its position, if it does not repeat its actions," he said.