REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that he once was interrogated by an ulema at Islamic Boarding Schools (pesantren) about the rumor on his involvement in the Indonesia Communist Party (PKI). He said they were talking in private to seek clarification (tabayun).

Jokowi explained it happened during a visit to one of Islamic boarding schools.

"There is an allegation that I'm a PKI member and sometimes politics can be so cruel," said Jokowi in Majalengka, West Java, on Thursday (May 24).

Jokowi explained he was three or four-years-old when PKI was dissolved in 1965. Therefore, the accusation was not logic.

"It's impossible a toddler to be a PKI member, right? Jokowi added.

Also read: I am not a PKI member: Jokowi

The rumor got wilder. Jokowi said his parents also became the target. "They said that my parents are PKI members," he said as quoted from setkab.go.id, on Friday.

Jokowi asked the people to find out his family tree. Islamic mass organizations in Solo such as Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, Parmusi, and others could easily check his parents background.

Also read: Being linked to PKI, Jokowi: I could not hold my anger

A book titled 'Jokowi Undercover' was banned for spreading hate speech. The author, Bambang Tri Mulyono was sentenced to three years imprisonment by Blora District Court, Central Java, on May 29, 2017.

"You can ask people in the mosque near my parents' house if you want to know who my parents or my grandparents background. These days nothing can be hidden," he remarked.

Jokowi pledged to answer every allegation addressed to him. He did not want the rumor continue to spread and grow.

The president called on the people to not easily be suspicious to others. "We must have positive prejudice," Jokowi said.

Jokowi also reminded public to not be easy to believe in issues, especially that spreaded on social medias. He said on social medias, anyone can argue and upload contents without filter.

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