Presidential Envoy Under Fire for Disparaging Iced Tea Vendor
A prominent Indonesian preacher and Presidential Special Envoy is facing mounting pressure to apologize after making disparaging remarks about a street vendor at a religious gathering. Gus Miftah, whose full name is Miftah Maulana Habiburrahman, has been criticized for his comments towards an iced tea seller on November 20th in Magelang, Central Java.
The incident sparked widespread outrage, with many social media users condemning Gus Miftah’s behavior.
"With all due respect, we kindly ask Gus @gusmiftah to apologize to the iced tea seller. What Gus did is not in line with what Pak @prabowo wants and teaches," the Gerindra Party, whose presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto appointed Gus Miftah, posted on Instagram.
The party emphasized their commitment to President Subianto’s values, particularly his deep respect for hardworking individuals like street vendors. To further illustrate this point, the Gerindra Party included a clip of Subianto expressing his admiration for vendors who strive to support their families.
This isn’t the first time Gus Miftah, a popular but controversial preacher, has drawn public ire. His comments have previously sparked criticism, leading some to call for his dismissal from his diplomatic role.
Fernando Emas, director of Rumah Politik Indonesia, echoed these sentiments.
"President Prabowo should remove Gus Miftah from his position as the Presidential Special Envoy so that he can freely carry out his activities as a preacher," Emas told sindonews.com.
"We don’t want him to become a burden to President Prabowo because of his belittling remarks toward small vendors,” Emas added, highlighting the impact of Gus Miftah’s words on those struggling to earn a living.
Facing mounting pressure, Gus Miftah issued an apology on November 22nd for causing the uproar. However, the incident has raised important questions about the responsibilities of public figures and the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
While the situation continues to unfold, it highlights the challenges of balancing public service with personal values. This incident also provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on the power of language and the importance of promoting empathy and understanding within society.
