Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan is currently on the public’s lips because of his speech which is considered to be blasphemous about religion.
He said that there was a group that was fanatical about one of the presidential and vice presidential candidates, so they changed the way of praying.
This then went viral on social media and many parties criticized him for immediately clarifying his remarks.
However, not only this time, Zulhas was observed several times carrying out actions and sayings that caused controversy on social media, the following are some of them.
1. Surprised that basic food prices are expensive
On his first day as Minister of Trade, Zulhas immediately went down to inspect basic prices at Cibubur Market, East Jakarta.
During his visit, he chatted with traders and buyers. From there, he was immediately surprised when he found out that the prices of basic commodities were expensive.
“Frankly, I was also shocked because the buyers were complaining, the traders were complaining, and we saw that directly as a result of the price of almost all basic necessities (bapok) rising. Only rice did not (rise),” he said at Cibubur Market, Thursday (16/6/2022).
He said that the price of red cayenne pepper had increased by approximately 20-30 percent. Likewise with red onions which increased by up to 20 percent.
Zulhas’ viral remarks sparked controversy on social media. Not a few people think that he is just playing a joke.
2. Denying the existence of a cooking oil mafia
Not long after, Zulhas returned to the public spotlight because he said there was no cooking oil mafia behind soaring prices.
As is known, at that time there was a spike in the price of cooking oil so that quite a few people complained.
Meanwhile, Zulhas said the increase in cooking oil prices was due to the government’s delay in dealing with crude palm oil stocks.
On the other hand, quite a few people say that the increase in oil prices is due to irresponsible individuals.
So Zulhas’ remarks regarding the price of cooking oil also sparked controversy, especially among mothers.
3. His daughter’s campaign by distributing cooking oil
Zulhas was once criticized when he held a meeting while distributing cooking oil. Meanwhile, the price of cooking oil was high.
The event started when Zulhas distributed the Minyakita brand cooking oil in East Betung Bay, Lampung, Saturday (9/7/2022). Zulhas brought his daughter, Futri Zulya Savitri.
He said that the cooking oil had been paid for by the child who will run as a candidate for PAN for the Lampung 1 electoral district in the 2024 election.
4. Said there was a group that prayed without saying “Amen”
Recently Zulhas returned was in the spotlight because it touched on the matter of reading in prayers and the final tahiyat which is linked to the 2024 presidential election.
The PAN chairman said that currently many people do not say amen after the prayer imam reads Al Fatihah.
In fact, he said that there were several parties who changed their hand movements during the final tahiyat in prayer.
“But it’s safe here. I went around the area, it’s safe here. In Jakarta there are no problems. There are things that have changed far away. So when praying Maghrib read Al-Fatihah, ‘waladhollin’. There are those who are silent now “, Sir. There are those who are silent now. Oh, there are many who are silent now. Because of their love for Pak Prabowo,” said Zulkifli Hasan.
This statement immediately sparked controversy in various circles. Not only netizens, various religious figures also criticized Zulhas’ remarks.
One of the criticisms came from Kiai Muhyiddin Junaidi, Deputy Chair of the Advisory Council of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).
Kiai Muhyiddin Junaidi said that Zulhas had committed religious blasphemy and was part of playing with religion.
“From a legal aspect, it is included in the category of religious blasphemy and part of an effort to ridicule and play with religion,” said Kiai Muhyiddin in his written statement, Wednesday (20/12/2023)
Therefore, Kiai Muhyiddin asked Zulhas to immediately clarify what he said. If not, there will be many parties who complain about it.
“I ask the MUI to immediately summon the person concerned to provide clarification and withdraw the statement. “If not, many parties will complain about him for insulting Islam,” explained Kiai Muhyiddin.
It didn’t stop there, Kiai Muhyiddin also said that Zulhas’ words were full of political elements to gain certain advantages or benefits.
“Don’t let this become a form of making religious teachings a joke and ridicule, so that they are justified as long as they are beneficial and profitable,” he added.
After his remarks sparked controversy from various circles, the Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction, Saleh Prataonan Daulay, tried to straighten out the issues circulating in society. According to him, Zulhas had no intention of insulting religion at all.
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