Yesterday Defending Edy Mulyadi About Kalimantan Where Jin Dumped Children, PKS Politician Tifatul Sembiring Now Apologizes

Forum News Network (FNN) Edy Mulyadi. ANTARA / HO-YouTube

JAKARTA - Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Tifatul Sembiring apologized as well as clarified his statement which was considered by several parties to be defending Edy Mulyadi. Edy Mulyadi was in the spotlight for calling Kalimantan a place of genies not children. Tifatul said his statement was twisted by a number of parties, giving the impression that he was defending Edy Mulyadi's statement. "said Tifatul in a written statement reported by ERA.id, Tuesday, January 25.

"If my statement was misunderstood, I sincerely apologize," said Tifatul.

Previously, in an interview, Tifatul was asked to comment on Edy Mulyadi's statement that mentions Kalimantan as a place for 'jinn throw away children'. Tifatul then explained that the sentence is generally used as an allusion to areas that are far away and still quiet.

According to him, the figurative phrase 'the genie throws a child' is commonly used by the people of Jakarta. However, there is absolutely no intention to insult a particular area.

"This term is often used by the people of Jakarta. I asked the Betawi figures who understand this, they explained the figurative meaning of the sentence 'jinn throws a child' it is a quiet, scary place and far from the crowd. So the connotation of the sentence is not to demean or insult," Tifatul told reporters on Monday, January 24.

"Me too, when I was about to move to Depok from Tanah Abang, my friends said, "Hey, do you want to move to a place where the genie dumped their children?". Previously, Depok was still quiet," he added.

Tifatul alluded to the phenomenon of many people becoming sensitive when discussing ethnic issues. According to him, as fellow Indonesians who consist of various ethnicities, it is better not to be easily misunderstood and offended.

"Don't be easily misunderstood and offended. For example, if you want to convince other people from Medan, your tone of voice is a bit high. It's not rebuking, but just stressing.

"Let's understand each other and forgive each other in this multi-ethnic life," he added.

Previously, Tifatul considered Edy Mulyadi's statement not an insult. In fact, he considers the phrase 'where the genie throws children away' is a term which means that the location is very far and quiet.

"No insulting words, nothing, which one is insulting?" said Tifatul.