Had Mangkir, Bawaslu Called Suswono Again After The Prosperous Widow Of A Rich Marriage Of An Unemployed Youth

Jakarta Cawagub Suswono/PHOTO: Rizky Adytia-VOI

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) has again summoned the candidate for Deputy Governor of Jakarta number 1, Suswono today, after not attending the first summons on November 6 yesterday.

Suswono was summoned to be asked for clarification regarding his joke statement proposing a wealthy widow to marry an unemployed young man and linking this to the story of the Prophet Muhammad.

"The summons was made again at two o'clock in the afternoon after the previous summons did not arrive," said DKI Jakarta Province Public Relations, Data and Information Coordinator Quin Pegagan to reporters, Thursday, November 7.

Suswono's summons is a stage for handling alleged election violations reported by the Betawi Bangkit community organization (ormas). Apart from Suswono, the General Chairperson of Bang Japar Fahira Idris was also reported to Bawaslu.

The Coordinator of the DKI Bawaslu Violation Handling Division, Benny Sabdo, said that his party had dug up information from the reporter and witnesses regarding the activity. Thus, Bawaslu still needs information from Suswono before deciding this case.

"The maximum is until this handling limit runs out. The handling of cases is 5 days. But in this case, we will handle it for 3 days. If it takes an additional 2 days. So a total of 5 days," said Benny.

Meanwhile, when confirmed separately, Suswono admitted that he did not attend the summons for Bawaslu Wednesday, November 6 last night because he was undergoing activities in Cakung, East Jakarta, at the same time.

"I don't know, just finished the event in Cakung," said Suswono.

Suswono's joke that made him report to Bawaslu occurred when he held a meeting with Bang Japar volunteers at the Nyi Ageng Serang Building, South Jakarta, Saturday, October 26.

Initially, Suswono revealed that he and the prospective Governor of Jakarta Ridwan Kamil would add a social assistance program for the DKI Provincial Government in the form of cards for orphans.

However, Suswono emphasized that this aid card was only intended for residents with lower or poor economic groups. While joking, Suswono also proposed that rich widows who did not enter as recipients of aid actually help by marrying unemployed youths.

"Is there a widow card or not? I make sure that there must be a poor widow. But when a rich widow asks for a card too? I suggest a rich widow please marry an unemployed young man," said Suswono.

Hal seperti ini, menurut dia, pernah dilakukan oleh istri pertama Nabi Muhammad, Khadijah binti Khuwailid.

"Remember Khadijah or not? Tau Khadijah right? He's a conglomerate. Who is married? Ya Nabi. At that time he was not a Prophet. Still 25 years old, right? Well, that's an example of being rich," he added.

Later, Suswono apologized for his statement which caused a polemic about the proposal for a rich widow to marry an unemployed young man like the story of the Prophet Muhammad and his wife, Khadijah.

"Saya menyadari bahwa pernyataan saya dalam pertemuan dengan relawan Bang Japar telah menimbulkan polemik, atas hal itu saya minta maaf, sekaligus mencabut pernyataan tersebut," ujar Suswono dalam keterangannya, Senin, 28 Oktober.