REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- National agency to win Prabowo Subianto - Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno (BPN) spokesman for Central Java area, Sriyanto Saputro denied his presidential candidate has insulted Boyolali people. He said Prabowo’s statement about ‘Boyolali face’ in video that went viral on social medias was cut intentionally, so it obscured the real joke.

“Mr Prabowo said about Boyolali face in front of coalition parties and supporters on the event. Boyolali face was meant to people who attend the the event, not Boyolali people outside,” said Sriyanto on Sunday (Nov 4).

Therefore, he asserted Prabowo has no intention to harass Boyolali people. Sriyanto said the joke was made to people who attend the event, so it was weird if people outside did not accept the joke.

“Those who intentionally cut off Prabowo's video speech, they were the ones who tried to provoke the people of Boyolali,” Sriyanto explained.

Sriyanto said the provocation not only made Prabowo was reported, but people in Boyolali were mobilized to hold demonstration to protest the video. He claimed there were state civil apparatus (ASN) being deployed on the action.

“I have the pictures,” Sriyanto added.

Also read: Prabowo to limit jokes as 'Boyolali face' questioned

In fact, Sriyanto said the provocation made people insulted Prabowo, such as through banners, which could lead to criminal acts for defaming Prabowo. He stressed if Boyolali people saw full video of Prabowo’s speech, so they would not be offended.

Meanwhile, National Mandate Party (PAN) secretary general Eddy Suparno said Prabowo’s statement related to Boyolali face actually wanted to emphasize that small people often got discrimination and being marginalized. He stressed that Prabowo had no intention to ridicule or demean the community with these words.

“I don’t think the words mean we are degrading someone or a certain party or group. Not at all," Eddy said.

Eddy concerned that every word is prone to be politicized. He called on to keep the political year to be more calm and people should always have positive think as negative think could divide the nation.

Prabowo made the controversial statement when attended the inauguration event of his success team office in Boyolali, Central Java on last Oct 30. His statement went viral on social media and made several people were angry.

 “If you try to enter (these hotels), you will probably be kicked out. Your faces are not that of rich people, your faces are just that of Boyolali people, right?” said Prabowo.

The audience felt it was hilarious. But it failed to amuse netizens on social medias, especially those claiming to be proud Boyolali people.

One of Boyolali people, Dakun then reported Prabowo to Jakata Police. Dakun was accompanied by his lawyer, Muannas Aladid.

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