Firm! Minister Of Religion Yaqut Doesn't Want To Withdraw Statement Don't Choose Leaders Who Use Religion As A Political Tool

Minister of Religion Yaqut (DOC ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas confirmed that he would not withdraw his statement reminding the public not to choose a leader who is good at sweet speech. Yaqut emphasized that he has an obligation to convey to the public not to choose a leader who uses religion as a political tool. "Yes, no (revocational), wong I have an obligation as Minister of Religion to convey to all religious communities that they should not be used for political affairs," Yaqut said when met at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday. Yaqut or familiarly called Gus Yaqut did convey at the Wahana Nagara Rahaja Joint Prayer event in Solo on Friday (29/9) not to just choose a leader based on his beautiful physique and good at speaking, and using religion as a political tool. The statement is considered offensive to the presidential candidate promoted by PKB Anies Baswedan. Yaqut also denied that his statement had made public noise. According to him, this statement is an objective norm to be submitted to the public. He considered that the public must choose rationally so that religion is not tarnished because of political affairs. "I convey the correct norms, which are objective in my opinion. The public really chooses the rational ones, choose with real considerations for the nation and state. Don't just look at the physical, where's the fault with the noise? Yes, I don't think so," he said. On a separate occasion, PKB General Chair Muhaimin Iskandar alias Cak Imin who became Anies' running mate as a vice presidential candidate responded that Yaqut's statement was like a "buzzer". When asked about the friction or friction in the PKB body, Yaqut admitted that he did not know because he was an inactive PKB administrator.

"Where is the faction? Did Cak Imin do what? It's okay, people just call it normal, what do you want to call it a 'buzzer', what are you called as long as I believe I convey what I believe is the truth, please call it," he said.