Hans David Tampubolon, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 10/26/2010
Indonesia’s twitter users were once again shocked by another statement from Information and Communication Minister Tifatul Sembiring, who said that adulterous nations unfaithful to God will receive “Godly condemnation”.
Tifatul, who represents the Islamic-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) in President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s cabinet, said in a statement on one of his tweets Tuesday “if they deny Our verses, then we will curse them for whatever (sins) they commit”.
Numerous twitter users condemned Tifatul for his statement, saying it was improper in the midst of two almost simultaneous natural disasters - a tsunami in Mentawai and a volcanic eruption in Central Java .
This was not the first time Tifatul's tweets caused widespread controversy and public derision.
“The government should ease chaos, not add more controversy, especially when it comes to religion,” twitter user Dian Paramita told The Jakarta Post. Mario Hadiwono added that Tifatul had shown his lack of empathy towards the disaster victims.
However, not all twitter users opposed Tifatul. One commentator said Tifatul was only giving warning to the Indonesian people and did not specifically say that Mentawai residents were unfaithful.
In his later tweets, Tifatul also talked about institutions people could go to if they wanted to help the disaster victims.
House of Representatives Speaker Marzuki Ali has been criticized after he said tsunami’s were a “risk for people who live beside the ocean” and that people who lived on islands should be relocated. (Antara Photo)
Related Articles:
Leaders urged to introspect after a series of disasters
Hundreds of students of elementary school perform a prayer for the victims of earthquake-triggered tsunami in Mentawai Islands of West Sumatra and Mt. Merapi eruption, at Sabilillah Mosque in Malang, East Java, on Thursday. Antara/Ari Bowo Sucipto
No comments:
Post a Comment