Friski Riana, Jakarta – The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) spokesman, Handi Risza, resented the statement made by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) chairperson Puan Maharani as she gave an official recommendation to the West Sumatera governor and deputy candidates Mulyadi – Ali Mukhni.
The statement Handi refers to a news report about Puan's statement which reportedly said "West Sumatera will hopefully become a province that actually supports the Pancasila state."
"[The statement is offensive] for those either in West Sumatera or in other areas," Handi wrote in an official statement on Wednesday.
The PKS politician and legislative candidate in West Sumatra countered Puan's statement by asserting that three out of four of Indonesia's founding fathers are national heroes born in West Sumatra such as Soekarno, Mohammad Hatta, Sutan Syahrir, and Tan Malaka.
"This shows that Pancasila is born from the rich culture and thinking of our ancestors," said Handi, who also requested Puan Maharani to retract her statement and issue an official apology to all West Sumatera citizens.