KUALA LUMPUR – Miftah Maulana Habiburrahman, better known as Gus Miftah, resigned on Friday from his role as the Indonesian President’s Special Envoy for Religious Harmony and the Development of Religious Facilities.
His resignation follows the viral circulation of a video in which he mocked a street vendor selling iced tea during a religious event in Magelang, Central Java, last month.
In an emotional statement, Gus Miftah said his decision was made voluntarily without any external pressure, Bernama reported.
“This is a decision I have made with full awareness after much self-reflection. I have decided to resign,” he said in Sleman, Yogyakarta, as broadcast on local television.
The prominent preacher, who was appointed to the role on October 22, expressed gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto and apologised for not meeting expectations in carrying out his responsibilities.
Meanwhile, the chief of the President’s Communications Office, Hasan Nasbi, said: “We respect his decision.”
The viral video showed Gus Miftah making disrespectful remarks towards the vendor in front of event participants on November 20. His actions sparked widespread outrage, leading to a Change.org petition calling for his dismissal, which garnered 318,479 signatures.
“Thank you to those who helped spread and sign the petition. We have succeeded in upholding decency in this country,” the petition read.
Last Wednesday, Gus Miftah visited the vendor’s home in Magelang to apologise and admitted to being advised by Cabinet Secretary Major Teddy Indra Wijaya to be more cautious when speaking in public.
Several individuals also stepped forward to assist the vendor, offering cash, sponsoring an umrah pilgrimage, and funding the education of his children.
The incident caught the attention of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who expressed concern over the behaviour of the religious leader.
“I saw it; a friend from Indonesia sent it to me. I found it strange. It’s very unusual,” Anwar remarked in a video circulating on YouTube.
The prime minister observed that iced tea sellers belong to the less fortunate community, yet they were mocked by someone well-versed in religion in a manner both insulting and derisive.
His actions sparked immense public outrage, prompting President Prabowo Subianto to issue a strong statement. Eventually, this religious figure visited the vendor’s home to apologise, Anwar said.
He further explained that the incident illustrates how arrogance and conceit are not exclusive to those ignorant of religion and morals.
Anwar added that this is an example of arrogance and conceit, which sometimes occur not just among those ignorant of religion and morality but also among those who understand religion and preach about Islam, faith, prayer, and sunnah, yet use demeaning words.
Anwar’s remarks were made during a monthly meeting at Finance Ministry, where he discussed the national budget and emphasised that its benefits should not only drive growth but also reach all levels of society, especially the underprivileged.
“This is the framework of the budget and the nation. While we provide incentives to drive growth and attract investments, we must not forget that the benefits should extend to the grassroots and everyone,” he said. – December 6, 2024