Rows Of Anger And Ahok's 'Chants': From Blasphemy To The Proposed To Disband The Ministry Of BUMN

Former Governor of DKI Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok). (Photo: Instagram @basukibtp)

JAKARTA - The figure of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or better known as Ahok is back in the public spotlight because of his controversial statements. This is because, he proposed to dissolve the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) led by Erick Thohir.

However, this is not the first time Ahok has made controversial comments. Before being appointed as the President Commissioner (Komut) of PT Pertamina (Persero), Ahok had a series of track records related to comments that had successfully generated controversy in the public.

Most recently, in the video uploaded by the YouTube POIN account, Ahok said that state corporate governance has been inefficient. Therefore, according to him, the Ministry of BUMN must be dissolved and replaced with the Indonesia Incorporation.

"The BUMN Ministry must be disbanded before Pak Joko Widodo (Jokowi) steps down. We are building a kind of Temasek, a kind of Indonesia Incorporation," he said, quoted from the YouTube POIN video, Wednesday, September 16.

Ahok felt this bad governance directly after entering the BUMN circle, or after being appointed as the President Commissioner of PT Pertamina (Persero).

For example at Pertamina, said Ahok, the position of director or commissioner is very thick with political lobbying and division of positions. In fact, according to Ahok, the replacement of the board of directors was not discussed with him but directly to the Minister of BUMN.

"He could even change directors without telling me. I was angry too, so the directors of all lobbies went to the minister because it was the one who determined the minister. The commissioners were on average entrusted by the ministries," he said.

Stumbling over the blasphemy law case

Towards the end of his term as Governor of DKI Ahok was embroiled in quite a controversy. In 2016, when he visited Pramuka Island, Thousand Islands, he said a sentence that smelled of religious blasphemy. Namely, conveying that people are being fooled by using surah Al Maidah verse 51.

This then received strong protests from elements of the Islamic community. The wave of demonstrations happened repeatedly. Two large mass actions were recorded on 4 November 2016 (action 411). This action even ended in chaos between the masses and the authorities.

Ahok's first trial was held on December 13, 2016 at the North Jakarta District Court, Jalan Gajah Mada, Central Jakarta. In his first trial, Ahok denied through reading the objection note or objection made by him.

"What I am saying is not to interpret Surah Al Maidah 51, let alone intend to insult Islam, and also to insult the scholars," said Ahok.

The case was quite long, until finally at the 19th trial, Thursday, April 20, 2017, the prosecutor charged Ahok with guilt. In the name of the law, the prosecutor asked the panel of judges to sentence Ahok to 1 year in prison with a probation period of 2 years. Ahok was imprisoned at the Mobile Brigade Command Headquarters Two, Depok.

Prohibit Slaughter of Sacrificial Animals

Ahok was once considered to have prohibited the slaughter of sacrificial animals during Eid al-Adha. As a result, there was a demonstration by the Islamic Defenders Front in front of the DPRD DKI Building, Friday, September 26, 2014.

As Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahok denied this accusation and stated that the DKI Jakarta government did not prohibit qurbani, but prohibited its sale on the green channel because it violated Regional Regulation (Perda) Number 8 of 2007 concerning Public Order.

Ahok admitted that previously the DKI Provincial Government (Pemprov) had allowed the sale and slaughter of sacrificial animals in any place, including on the side of the road. This was due to the fact that the sacrificial animals had not been tested beforehand.

"For example, in the past, we never knew or understood why a child played on the ground suddenly when he came home he died immediately? After research, it was animal blood. He had spores that could only die for months and cause someone to die," said Basuki, at the Tax Service Office, Jakarta, Tuesday, September 8, 2015.

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Therefore, Basuki issued Governor Instruction (Ingub) Number 168 of 2015 concerning Animal Control, Shelter and Slaughter. This policy is in order to welcome Eid al-Adha in 2015/1436 Hijriah.

Eviction of Penjaringan Fish Market Area

In his pekemimpinanya era as the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahok finally leveled the Fish Market area which included the Aquarium Village, Fish Market and Luar Batang, Penjaringan Village, North Jakarta. Hundreds of residents in the area had to leave.

Ahok insisted on evicting the Fish Market area, Penjaringan, North Jakarta. Although, the residents who live against. Dozens of policewomen were involved, apart from that the eviction also involved hundreds of Satpol PP and policemen in 'Turn Back Crime' shirts. The TNI was also involved in this eviction.

The policewoman was dispatched to pull the women from Penjaringan who joined in shouting against the eviction to a safer place. Ahok said the land occupied by residents was state land. Because of that, the DKI Provincial Government continues to control it.

"I think everyone is going to make a fuss, now I ask whose land is it? The market certificate also belongs to Pasar Jaya, where do you get the certificate from?" Said Ahok.

Ahok also refused if the eviction of Fish Market residents was a violation of human rights (HAM).

"Violating human rights what? I said that letting Jakarta people continue to be in poverty violates human rights. See Kalijodo's children are better now, right? Letting children see prostitution, gambling does not violate human rights?"

Kampung Pulo relocation

Ahok succeeded in moving the residents of Kampung Pulo along the Ciliwung river. Although, the relocation was marked by clashes between residents and the authorities. He did not pay attention even though they paid taxes during their stay. According to him, the UN is not proof of ownership that can be used as an excuse.

"PBB is not proof of ownership. That's why just rent it. Now there is no IMB, electricity is unclear, littering," said Ahok.

The relocation in September 2015 has resulted in a number of residents being successfully transferred to the Simple Rental Flats in West Jatinegara, East Jakarta. Even though they also complained about the conditions in the flat, from no trellis on the windows to other facilities.

However, step by step improvement of the flat was carried out. Until now, residents have started to enjoy their new residence.

Control of street vendors in the Monas area

Ahok was furious about the actions of street vendors (PKL) in the National Monument Park (Monas), making his party carry out sterilization. Traders did not accept this policy smoothly. They were against and against that decision. However, Ahok kept going. He was not afraid to accept resistance from street vendors.

In fact, Ahok intends to spray the illegal street vendors at Monas with sewage water. This is due to the anarchist action in the form of vandalizing the Lenggang Jakarta office and restaurant facilities, which are located in the Monas area.

"We want to ask for police security. But maybe the next day I want to spray it with sewage with a fire extinguisher," said Ahok when he was met at Gondangdia Station, Central Jakarta, Sunday, June 21, 2015.

However, due to Ahok's persistent efforts, now those who trade at Monas have been coached by Ahok through Lenggang Jakarta. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has also closed all access to Monas entrances for illegal street vendors in the Lenggang Jakarta hawker center area.

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