JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Maman Imanulhaq, the Head of Al Mizan Islamic boarding school (locally known as pesantren) in Majalengka, West Java, said the slanderous Obor Rakyat tabloid is not just a black campaign for presidential candidate Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, but anyone behind the tabloid had also insulted the santri (Islamic boarding school students).
“(We’re in) pesantren have been disturbed and felt perceived like a fool who could easily influenced. Whoever circulated (Obor Rakyat tabloid), they want to insulting pesantren. I think (members of) pesantren aren’t fool. I think (members of) pesantren and the NU (Nadhlatul Ulama) are mature enough to understand what is a good and a bad,” said Maman, as quoted by Kompas.com, after giving testimonies to the Police on Friday (June 20).
“We alleged Obor Rakyat as a form of black propaganda.. It was circulated with massive and systematic..,” Maman said, adding that his pesantren has received two editions of Obor Rakyat tabloid.
According to Maman, the first edition was received on May 15, while the second edition was received on June 17.
As reported earlier, two editions of Obor Rakyat tabloid had been circulated in a number of Islamic boarding schools in East Java and West Java.
The advocacy team of Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla then has filed a report to the National Police over smear campaign committed by Obor Rakyat. Jokowi-Kalla advocacy team asked the Police to investigate those behind the circulation of Obor Rakyat, including its financiers.
Setyardi Budiono and Darmawan Seproyossa, the two founders of Obor Rakyat, have been summoned by the Police for a questioning. Setyardi is known as the assistance of Velix Wanggai, the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s expert on regional autonomy. Felix Wanggai, however, depended himself by arguing that Setyardi’s decision to publish Obor Rakyat tabloid was his own decision. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)