Vincentius Jyestha, Jakarta – Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) spokesperson Habiburokhman has confirmed that the reprimand against senior Gerindra member Fadli Zon originated from a directive by the party's general chairperson Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto.
Fadli Zon was reprehended for taunting President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in a Twitter posting for testing out the new Mandalika racing circuit in West Nusa Tenggara last week but never having visited Sintang regency in West Kalimantan which has been inundated by floods for almost a month.
Habiburokhman said that the reprimand was a directive from Prabowo but was conveyed to Zon though Gerindra Secretary General Ahmad Muzani.
"Yes (in accordance with Pak [Mr] Prabowo's directive). But (it was conveyed) though Pak Secretary General Ahmad Muzani", said Habiburokhman when contacted by Tribune News on Sunday November 14.
Earlier, Habiburokhman was reported as insisting that Zon's tweet about President Widodo did not represent the Gerindra parliamentary faction or the party.
"On Pak Fadli Zon's tweet about Sintang, we need to clarify that the statement does not represent [the views of] the faction or party", said Habiburokhman when contacted Sunday.
Habiburokhman confirmed that Gerindra had reprimanded the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I member.
In addition to this, Gerindra has also issued an apology if Zon's statement created discomfort for any parties. "(Fadli Zon) has been reprimanded and we have also apologised if his statement created discomfort", he said.
Habiburokhman said that such a reprehend was normal when the person concerned issues a statement which is felt to be inappropriate and that any party member would be reprimanded if they did such a thing.
"As a leading Gerindra members, it is a normal thing for us if we're reprimanded for an inappropriate statement. I myself as the party spokesperson have often been reprimanded, likewise for other DPR member colleagues", he asserted.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Prabowo Tegur Fadli Zon Usai Sindir Jokowi".]
Source: https://www.tribunnews.com/nasional/2021/11/14/prabowo-tegur-fadli-zon-usai-sindir-jokow