Pramono Anung's Statement Regarding Kediri, Between Klenik And The Belief Of The Political Elite

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Saturday, February 15, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung openly admitted to prohibiting President Jokowi from visiting Kediri, East Java. This is because there is a myth circulating that if the president visited Kediri, he could step down.

Pramono's speech was serious and was spoken in front of the public. He said that when responding to a speech from the caretaker of the Hidayatul Mibtadien Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School, Kediri.

The leader of the Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School, KH Kafabihi Mahrus, admitted that Kediri is a wing area for the president. However, he said, it could be safe for the president to come for pilgrimage and pray at the Tomb of Syekh Al Wasil Syamsudin, Mbah Wasil Setono Gedong, Kediri.

"Ngapunten (sorry), Kiai, I was one of the people who forbade the President to visit Kediri," said Pramono.

Pramono said that in the past, the fourth President of the Republic of Indonesia, KH Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur, had visited Kediri. After that visit, there was turmoil in the capital, until Gus Dur stepped down from the presidency.

Responding to Gus Dur's resignation, his former spokesman, Adhie Massardi, said that Gus Dur's resignation had nothing to do with his visit to Kediri. He said that Gus Dur stepped down due to political conflicts with his then deputy, Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is now the chairman of the PDIP.

"It's a lie. It has nothing to do with the place visited. Gus Dur's removal was 100 percent due to the political conflict with his deputy," said Adhie via his Twitter account.

BOHONG ... Have nothing to do with the place you are visiting. The 100% removal of GusDur was due to the political conflict with his deputy. Pak Amin and Central Axis are just cheerful. Cheerleaders. If the PDIP does not agree with the MPR Special Session to remove GD, there will be no political tragedy. https://t.co/Kl2EFluDWQ

- ADHIE M MASSARDI (@AdhieMassardi) February 16, 2020

Furthermore, he said, the meaning of Kediri must be seen in a broad context. That is, Kediri is not taboo for a ruler. This means that power does not benefit "self" and the group alone. But it has to be more people-oriented.

SELF vs PEOPLE ¤ to oneself is not Kediri (city) which is taboo for the authorities. That is, power does not only benefit "to themselves" and their groups. But it has to be more oriented towards the people. What does power mean if it is not for the welfare (of the people).

- ADHIE M MASSARDI (@AdhieMassardi) February 17, 2020

Myth The visit of the resignation of the president to Kediri happened not only during the Gus Dur era. This myth also appeared when the first President Sukarno and the fourth President BJ Habibie.

However, this myth was debunked when the sixth President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono once visited Kediri to visit residents who had fled because of Mount Kelud erupting.

The visit was even made several times. Among them were on 25 October 2007 and 17 February 2014. SBY did not resign after that, but instead finished his term as president for two terms.

From this fact, it is clear that the myth has been believed so far. But strangely, Pramono, who is the political elite in this country, is still nauseous of this myth.

Political observer Ujang Komaruddin said Pramono's statement indicated that many officials still believed in occultism. This is also what happens during the election and regional elections, many politicians meet with shamans to ask for directions.

"Hence, it is not surprising and not strange that Indonesian political discourse is still colored with occult and shamanistic things," Ujang told voi.id.

According to Ujang, even in this modern era, it does not guarantee that officials are free from occultism. "In fact, the modern era can breed occultism. Because of the arid heart and low belief in God," he concluded.