About Meme Borobudur Stupa Similar To Jokowi, Deputy Minister Of Religion Affirms Religious Symbols Not For Ridicule

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Religion Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi asked religious symbols not to be ridiculed because they would hurt the feelings of other religious people.

"Whatever the reason, this action is unethical and is not justified by religion and laws and regulations. This act can be categorized as an act of SARA," said the Deputy Minister of Religion when contacted from Jakarta, Friday, June 17.

Zainut's statement was in response to the meme circulating on social media about the Borobudur Temple stupa which was edited with a face like President Joko Widodo.

Zainut said that freedom of expression, both criticism and suggestions, should be carried out in a polite, wise, and respectful manner. Not in a way that violates moral, legal, and religious norms.

He appealed to the public to be wiser and careful in using social media. Do not quickly upload or spread news, whether in the form of photos, videos, memes or narrative content, which contains hate speech, slander, and racial intolerance.

"Behave proportionally and not excessively in expressing opinions or criticisms, so as not to cause polemics and noise," said Zainut as quoted by Antara.

Regarding the Borobudur stupa, Zainut urged the police to investigate all parties involved for further processing in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

"Regarding the posting of the Borobudur stupa meme that looks like Pak Jokowi, I leave it to the police to investigate the matter and investigate all parties involved for further legal proceedings in accordance with the provisions of the applicable laws," he said.