Solo, CNN Indonesia —
Mayor of Solo Gibran Rakabuming Raka responding to viral posts on social media that show him sitting at the table in front of the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono.
Gibran said the occupied place was not a table as reported. He sat on the audience seat which was deliberately designed with terraces.
“It has already been explained that the same as the owner of the house. It’s not a table but a chair like the stands, you know,” said Gibran when he was met on the sidelines of an inspection of the West City U-23 World Cup Training Field, Monday (29/3).
The eldest son of President Joko Widodo also admitted to sitting on a higher chair because he was asked by Basuki to be more comfortable in the discussion.
“Pak Basuki asked me to sit there because it was indeed a discussion, so I would be side by side,” he said.
Professor of the Jakarta Arts Institute (IKJ), Sardono W. Kusumo, who was also present at the meeting, explained that the place occupied by Gibran was the seat of the audience.
“Those are the audience seats for art performance events. In fact, the seats below are usually used by invited guests,” he said.
Sardono added that Gibran initially wanted to sit on a chair at the same level as Basuki’s side. He moved to a higher seat at the request of Basuki.
“At first Mas Gibran wanted to sit beside Pak Basuki. Pak Basuki was asked to sit on the top because we wanted to have a discussion,” he said.
Photo of Gibran sitting in a higher position than Basuki went viral after economist Rizal Ramli also commented on his Twitter account @RamliRizal on Sunday (28/3) yesterday.
“Since when did Mas Basuki @KementrianPU become subordinate to the Mayor? Kopas: Minister of PUPR Kunker to Solo Gibran Sitting at the Table, Basuki Sitting on the Chair,” wrote Rizal Ramli on Twitter.
Rizal’s teasing reaped scathing comments from netizens. They considered Gibran rude for sitting at a table in front of an older person.
The incident occurred when Gibran and Basuki were visiting the Gatot Subroto area, which was planned to be worked on as Malioboro in the style of Solo City.
At that time, they stopped by at the MasDon Art Center managed by Sardono. In the photo circulating, Gibran appears to be sitting in a higher position than Basuki and Sardono.
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