When Ridwan Kamil Was Criticized By A Teacher

Ridwan Kamil wore a yellow suit while zooming in with junior high school students in Tasikmalaya who were willing to buy shoes for one of his friends. (Instagram Ridwan Kamil)

JAKARTA - The way of delivering it greatly affects the results of criticism. If the method of delivery is wrong, even though the goal is good, of course it will be received not good for the object of criticism. However, critics often do not realize the way of delivering criticism because the way of communicating has often become a pattern of habits that are not realized.

Listiani Asum's words in the book I Hate Criticism might be able to describe the misunderstanding that occurred between the vocational school teacher in Cirebon, Muhammad Sabil and the Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil.

In the past, there was a clear line between superiors and subordinates, seniors and juniors, and parents and younger ones. Everyone who is younger, juniors, and feels his position is lower, will automatically behave and communicate more politely and with more respect.

"The formulation of their words, intonations, and body attitudes is shown to be more polite every time they communicate with superiors, parents, and seniors," said Listiani.

Today, the difference line is getting thinner. Being polite in the east is no longer as important as it used to be. Only some people still hold it.

Communication ultimately changes, from directly to through technological tools. Intonation, movements, or behavior are no longer trained in every submission of ideas, messages, or opinions. The choice of words is no longer through the results of mature thinking or taking into account the feelings of others, but by martial arts yourself to things that are considered contemporary.

The first thing that is often not realized by many people in expressing opinions or criticism, according to Listiani, turns out to be in the critics. Most people only have an overview of what to say. Rarely someone prepares themselves to get clarity about what to say.

Sabil commented on Emil's position wearing a yellow suit to zoom in with junior high school students in Tasikmalaya who were willing to buy shoes for one of their friends.

Sabil considers himself governor, Ridwan Kamil is not allowed to do practical politics to the school environment even though it is virtual. If you really want to have a dialogue with school students, don't use the attributes of political parties.

"In this zoom, it's strange (you) tea keur to be the governor of West Java or personal party cadre @ridwankamil????" Sabil commented on Ridwan Kamil's Instagram account on March 14, 2023.

In this position, Sabil only sees an overview of Ridwan Kamil's appearance. Sail doesn't see anything deeper, such as whether the suit he wears is a party suit. Because, even though it is yellow, the suit Ridwan Kamil uses when zooming in is yellow is plain without a party emblem on the left chest.

The second thing that is often not anticipated is about vocabulary. The word'maneh' in action with Sundanese is usually used for peers, to be harsh when used for older people, especially governors.

According to Sabil, the use of the wordmaneh is not meant to be disrespectful, but only to make it seem more familiar.

However, for Ridwan Kamil, the words used by Sabil are not right. Moreover, Sabil is a teacher.

"That's why Ipin, that's why (the goal) I'm educating people who sometimes don't use facts. I clarify, actually that," said Ridwan Kamil.

Sabil did not expect the comments to make him fired by the school. Ridwan Kamil too, he admitted that he was surprised by the school and made a decision to stop Sabil.

"Maybe because the one who posts rudely is a teacher, whose posts may be seen/followed by the students, the school/mayasan to maintain the good name of the institution takes firm action according to the school regulations concerned," said Ridwan Kamil on his Instagram account on March 15, 2023.

However, he claimed to have contacted the school so that he could return to teaching.

"It's enough to be advised and reminded, there's no need to be dismissed," he said.

In the current era of social media without censorship, added Ridwan Kamil, it has become the obligation of parents, teachers and leaders to continue to take care of each other in kindness, patience, and always being wise in social media, so that our children and grandchildren can live in a more noble civilization.

Lecturer of the State Administrative Law Department of the Faculty of Law UGM Yogyakarta, Hendry Julian Noor, admitted that social media allows everyone to easily express their opinion, including on the policies and actions of public officials.

Criticism in any form, verbal, writing, and/or image, is a common practice and reflection of democratic life. Nevertheless, as a nation that adheres to the values of decency, decency and decency as a value that lives in society is something that should remain in it.

President Jokowi has set an example when responding to criticism from the University of Indonesia's BEM which calls it The King of Lip Service in 2021. Instead of being angry, Jokowi actually asked the University of Indonesia campus not to hinder the actions of his students.

From here it can be said that the President understands very well that the principle in the concept of a civilized state, criticism of state management is one of the elements as part of checks and balances, in his opinion at Kompas.

In the concept of a state of law, let alone criticism, even lawsuits against the government are given forum by law.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD also considered criticism to be important for officials, "The goal is for officials to always be aware that their performance is monitored by many people."