Call People Outside Java Small There Is A Chance To Become President, Observers: Luhut Pandjaitan's Statement Can Fertilize Etnocentrism

Coordinating Minister Luhut and Rocky Gerung (Youtube screenshot @RGTVChannel ID)

JAKARTA - Political communication observer at Esa Unggul University, Jamiluddin Ritonga, regretted the statement by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan who said that people outside Java should not dream of becoming president. According to Jamiluddin, as Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut should not have stated this. The reason is, from the Constitution to the lowest laws and regulations, no one regulates the origin of the presidential candidate. "Luhut's statement can be a justification for certain groups who have always wanted the Javanese to become president in Indonesia," said Jamiluddin in Jakarta, Friday, September 23. "There are even groups who think that Indonesia should be led alternately from Central Java and East Java. They assess that Central Java is represented by Mataram and East Java is represented by Majapahit," he added. Jamiluddin revealed that when the position of 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) was about to end, his successor was heard to be from Central Java. The coincided replacement for SBY came from Solo, Central Java, namely Joko Widodo. "The thought pattern should have been eradicated because it was not in accordance with the Indonesian constitution. In fact, it contradicts the principle of Bhineka Tunggal Ika," he said. As a leader, Jamiluddin considered that Luhut should not raise this matter to the public. Because it can foster ethnosentrism in Indonesia. "If etnocentrism strengthens in Indonesia, of course it will perpetuate as if only the Javanese are entitled to president. This will actually strengthen identity politics that endanger the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," he said. "So, Luhut should be wiser in his opinion. Things that have the opportunity to shake the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and are not in accordance with the legislation should not need to be discussed publicly," Jamiluddin added. Previously, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan assessed that people from outside Java were unlikely to become president. He suggested that figures from outside Java should not have ambitions to become presidents. According to Luhut, figures outside Java should know themselves. He said, there are many other ways to serve the country other than being president. “ Do you have to be president, you can serve? You have to know yourself too, if you are not Javanese. This is anthropology talk. If you are not Javanese and the direct election today, you forget about it. We don't have to force ourselves, we are hurt, ” Luhut was quoted via the RGTV Channel Youtube account, Thursday, September 22.