Sued By Panji Gumilang, Ridwan Kamil Claims Not To Be Afraid To Defend The People

JAKARTA - Panji Gumilang threatened to sue the Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil regarding the polemic of the Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School.

However, Ridwan Kamil did not seem to care about the threat of Panji Gumilang's lawsuit. "I must defend the people and sharia," said Ridwan Kamil.

Kang Emil, Ridwan Kamil's nickname, invited Panji to sue him and according to him, Indonesia is a state of law.

"Go ahead, because this is a rule of law. It's actually good so that the problem can be clear. This is just a matter of world justice," Emil said in his official Instagram account @ridwankamil, quoted Monday, July 24.

The Golkar politician emphasized that what he did regarding the Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School case was the embodiment of his oath as West Java leader to defend the people and religious law.

"As the leader of West Java, I have vowed to protect West Java and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and are obliged to defend the people and sharia from dangerous and disturbing things," said Emil.

Furthermore, the number one person in West Java said that during his tenure as regional head, he always listened to what the ulama said about community issues.

"Every decision related to the community, I always listen to the advice of the West Java clerics," he continued.

Ridwan Kamil mentioned about his late grandfather who used to also fight for the benefit of the people. Part of the advice of my late grandfather KH Muhjiddin, Commander of Hezbollah NU, in colonial times, so that his descendants always defend their religion and state. The late grandfather was imprisoned in the Netherlands, hostile to DI TII and PKI. My grandson must continue what my grandfather fought for, "he concluded.

Previously, the head of the Al-Zaytun Islamic Boarding School, Panji Gumilang, also sued Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Anwar Abbas on a civil basis to the Central Jakarta District Court (PN Jakpus) for IDR 1 trillion.

Then, Panji also sued Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD and Ridwan Kamil. However, Mahfud MD's lawsuit of Rp 5 trillion has been withdrawn.

The lawsuit against Ridwan Kamil was confirmed by the Head of the National Unity and Politics (Kesbangpol) of West Java Province Iip Hidajat.

"We just heard from the media that our Governor was sued. Well, when the lawsuit against the Governor means this is institutional, not Ridwan Kamil's personality," said Iip, Saturday.

Iip said the Provincial Government and West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil were ready to face the lawsuit. "The important point is that the Governor has responded and stated that he knows that and then it doesn't matter because this is a state of law, meaning that he is law-abiding and ready for the process if a lawsuit occurs. Maybe the day after tomorrow it will be revoked again, right, we don't understand," said Iip.

Iip said that currently his party is still waiting for the material for the lawsuit. "We are ready to face the lawsuit and what we are waiting for is the substance of the material, what has been sued, until today I don't know, I'm coordinating with the Legal Bureau as well as not knowing, the registration hasn't even been seen yet," he said.

Iip also suspects that the lawsuit is related to the formation of an investigation team of the West Java Provincial Government to respond to public unrest regarding a series of controversial statements and unusual worship activities in Al-Zaytun.

"When the investigation team is formed, we are ready with logical consequences, this is a state of law. So, that aspect has also become our preparedness," he explained.