A video of Jokowi’s campaign team members saluting the president has gone viral over the last few days.
Earlier, Prabowo’s campaign team (BPN) also published a similar video, with former military members saluting Prabowo Subianto with “Siap, Presiden!” or, “Yes, President!”.
Spokesman for the Prabowo Subianto – Sandiaga Uno campaign team, Andre Rosiade, stated that this was inappropriate, and that Jokowi’s team has shown major disrespect to Prabowo and other former military members.
“The TKN (Jokowi’s campaign team) is actually mocking how members of the PPIR (military retiree association) greeted Mr Prabowo with a military salute,” said Andre. He further asserted that the salute by the TKN members was a form of insult aimed at the salute of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and even called it military blasphemy.
Adian Napitupulu, from Jokowi’s team, has said that the 45-second video of TKN members saluting and addressing Jokowi as Mr. President was unplanned. He denied that it was an attempt to ridicule or mock Prabowo.
“I wasn’t planned and it isn’t a mockery, but the fact is that Jokowi is the president,” Adian added.
Prabowo and his campaign team have repeatedly claimed victory, despite losing to incumbent Joko Widodo in the quick count for the presidential election. Prabowo’s team is known to have uploaded the salutation video after he claimed victory.
Jokowi’s presidential salute is not the only way Prabowo is being satirised. Many internet users have uploaded parody versions of the video in schools, wedding receptions, and even with their pets.
Source: Tempo
Image: Detik