Luhut Asks Government Criticists To Move From Indonesia, Anies Reminds Freedom Of Speech

Anies Baswedan (DOK AMIN National Team)

Presidential candidate number 1, Anies Baswedan, responded to the statement by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan who asked people who always criticize the government for moving from Indonesia. Anies reminded of the existence of free speech in the principles of democracy applied in the country. According to him, critics do not need to be blamed. "That's where it is important why in democratic principles there is a sense of speech. So if there are comments and criticisms, this is an opportunity to explain to the public. But not then the small ones are wrong," said Anies when met at the Gold Dome Mosque, Depok, West Java, Friday, March 15. Anies claimed that during his tenure as Governor of DKI Jakarta and Minister of Education and Culture (Mendikbud) several years ago, he considered criticism as a learning process for the public. "That is the material for me to answer, for me to explain. So, many people will hear later. What is the government's policy, the explanation is more complete. With what? With comments, statements, criticisms, rebuttals," explained Anies. Previously, during the 2024 Domestic Product Shopping Business Matching (PDN) event on Thursday, March 7, Luhut asked all parties not to continue criticizing the government. If they only criticize and view the government's work as bad, Luhut suggests leaving and moving out of Indonesia. "So I hope we all have to be proud to be Indonesians, we criticize our nation but constructive criticism. Don't be criticized for feeling all bad, all bad. If it's bad, just move you from Indonesia," said Luhut. On the one hand, Luhut also quipped the former government official who is now a critic. If they often criticize the government, Luhut asks back and asks what the former official has succeeded in doing. "I like to be annoyed too sometimes, saying 'this is lacking, this is lacking'. I also asked, I saw first when he was an official What does he do? It's not clear either," said Luhut.

"Right now your digital footprint is visible, don't be arrogant you talk, criticize. You have done nothing or maybe you also stole when you were in office," he added.