JAKARTA - Political communication observer at Esa Unggul University, Jamiluddin Ritonga, assessed that the actions of the Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) who campaigned for his daughter, Futri Zulya Savitri, while distributing Oilita in the cheap market, were unethical. Although, in the event Zulhas acted as the general chairman of PAN, the oil distributed was made by the Ministry of Trade. "A minister should not mix up the duties of a minister with a general chairman of the party. This should not happen because it is related to the use of the state budget," Jamiluddin told VOI, Tuesday, July 12. According to him, it is necessary to check that Zulhas' visit to Lampung is in his capacity as the Minister of Trade or as the General Chair of PAN. Bearing in mind that previously the Ministry of Trade's official social media accounts had informed Zulhas of distributing 7,000 liters of oil in Lampung.
"As the Minister of Trade, Zulhas' visit uses the state budget. Therefore, Zulhas is wrong when he distributes cooking oil while campaigning for his children," said Jamiluddin.
However, according to him, this incident is not too surprising considering that Zulhas was chosen as minister not because of professional considerations. Zulhas, said Jamiluddin, was chosen to be a minister based on political considerations.
"Therefore, it is natural for Zulhas to work unprofessionally. Zulhas will find it difficult to distinguish between the duties and functions of a minister and which are the duties and functions of the general chairman of the party," he said.
Therefore, Jamiluddin judged that it was not Zulhas who was wrong, but rather the one who chose him to become a minister. According to him, such incidents will continue to repeat itself if the president chooses his ministers for political considerations.
"So, the mistake is on the side of the president. Appointing a minister who is not professional will make similar incidents happen again. Hopefully this will be a lesson for the president in appointing his ministers," he concluded.
PAN Calls Zulkifli Hasan's Capacity as Chief Executive
The chairman of the PAN faction of the DPR, Saleh Partaonan Daulay, responds to the polemic over the distribution of Oilita packaged oil by the General Chair of PAN and the Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan at a cheap market event in Telukbetung Timur, Bandar Lampung, Saturday, July 9.
Saleh stated that the Cheap PANsar in Lampung was purely a party activity. Incidentally, he said, at the event, the distribution of cheap cooking oil of Oilita made by the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) was carried out.
"Because this is a party activity, the procurement of cooking oil is done independently. It means that party officials and PAN candidates buy it from distributors. Then, it is distributed to the public for free," Saleh told reporters, Tuesday, July 12.
Saleh continued, this kind of activity should be appreciated. Because his intention to help the community. It also shows that the government is able to lower the price of cooking oil.
"While we know that the issue of cooking oil has caused a lot of trouble for the community, especially women," said the North Sumatran legislator.
The chairman of the PAN DPP explained that Zulhas' presence in the activity was in his capacity as the general chairman of the party. As the general chairman, said Saleh, of course he has the responsibility to explain what is being done.
"In this case, he was given a very short time by the president to handle cooking oil. And Alhamdulillah it worked. Well, that's what he wanted to convey to the public," Saleh explained.
Meanwhile, regarding the campaign for his daughter, who is also the administrator of the PAN DPP and the Lampung 1 PAN Legislative Candidate, Futri Zulya Savitri, according to Saleh, it is only natural for a general chairman to ask the public to vote for candidates from PAN.
"There is a good opportunity to meet with the community. He conveyed about the decline in cooking oil prices. Of course it is not wrong, if at the same time he asked to choose PAN candidates. That way, there will be continuity of the program and struggle for the interests of the community," said Saleh.
Therefore, Saleh asked all parties not to misinterpret this. Because, he said, the purpose of the distribution of Oilita is good.
"Don't even misinterpret it. I see that on social media there are even those who understand it from the wrong angle. But we believe that the wider community understands the message, spirit, and purpose of the activity," he said.
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