Zulkifli Hasan Protests Ma'ruf Amin Not Resigning From The Position Of Chairman Of The MUI In Today's Memory, August 29, 2018

Ma'ruf Amin, who served as General Chair of MUI in the 2015-2020 era. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA Memories of today, seven years ago, August 29, 2018, the General Chair of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) protested Ma'ruf Amin who did not resign from the position of Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI). The protest was because Ma'ruf had become a vice presidential candidate for Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

Zulhas expressed his direct protest to the Chairman of the MUI Advisory Council, Din Syamsuddin. Previously, Sandiaga Uno's resignation from the Deputy Governor (Deputy Governor) of DKI Jakarta was praised by many parties. This condition makes people compare it with Ma'ruf's attitude who refuses to resign.

Ethics is often an important guideline in the world of politics. Politicians who uphold ethics can make Indonesia's political world more civilized. The nation's future is seen as bright. Sandiaga Uno tried to show this condition.

Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta was finally proposed by Prabowo Subianto as vice presidential candidate on August 9, 2018. This position made Sandi think long. The opportunity to participate in the 2019 presidential election made him unable to focus on leading Jakarta because he had to leave.

Sandi's days will be filled with campaigns. Sandi did not want to be considered to have used the Deputy Governor's position to support his political ambitions. As a result, Sandi chose to send his resignation letter on August 10, 2018.

Sandi does understand that there are rules that emphasize state officials do not have to resign. They can still take part in the presidential election only on the leave of President Jokowi's permission. However, Sandi has a different view. He considers building Jakarta needs high focus.

Sandi did not want to disturb Anies Baswedan in leading Jakarta. He wants the new Deputy Governor to be determined immediately. Sandi also revealed another reason in the plenary session at the Jakarta DPRD on August 27, 2018. He revealed his resignation for fear of a conflict of interest.

"Considering how big the task of a Deputy Governor is. How difficult it is to work in Jakarta and avoid the risk of politicization of positions, keep away from the disadvantages of officials who intervene and abuse bureaucracy, budget, and facilities".

"So I choose to make sincere sacrifices not to take leave, and prioritize the interests of the citizens of Jakarta as well as the aspirations of the Indonesian people above the interests of themselves or groups. In this regard, my choice is to take an official stance to stop as Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Province for the 2017-2022 service period," Sandiaga said as quoted on the website.com, August 27, 2018.

Sandi's decision to resign from the position of Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta was appreciated by many parties. This condition is far different from Jokowi choosing the Chairman of the MUI, Ma'ruf Amin as the vice presidential candidate. Ma'ruf's presence was criticized because the figure of a religious figure did not want to give up his position as Chairman of the MUI.

Protests continue to come to MUI. They asked MUI to immediately determine the fate of Ma'ruf Amin, in addition to only deactivating Ma'ruf as General Chair of MUI. MUI also gave an answer that Ma'ruf would resign if he won the 2019 presidential election.

The chairman of PAN, Zulhas, spoke up. He expressed his protest directly to the Chairman of the MUI Leadership Council, Din Syamsuddin on August 29, 2018. Zulhas asked Ma'ruf to immediately resign so that there would be no conflict of interest in the 2019 presidential election.

Zulhas gave an example of Sandi immediately resigned. Ma'ruf, who is a religious figure, should be able to do the same for example and maintain good political ethics. Din also gave the same answer. Ma'ruf only prepared to withdraw if he won.

"Yes, you have to obey me, the loss period with Bang Sandiaga has withdrawn from the Deputy Governor of DKI," said Zulhas to Din at Muhammadiyah University, Jakarta, as quoted on the website.com, August 29, 2018.