Aboe Bakar sheds tears and apologises after examination by DPR's Honour Court
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of the House of Representatives Commission III, Aboe Bakar Al-Habsyi, shed tears while expressing his apology for his remarks that offended religious scholars and figures on Madura Island, following his examination by the House of Representatives Honour Court (MKD) over those statements.
He admitted fault for his words, as the language he used could create multiple interpretations. The problematic statement was when he highlighted religious scholars and drug eradication on Madura Island during a Commission III House of Representatives meeting with the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) some time ago.
“From Bangkalan, Sampang, Sumenep, and Pamekasan. Madura residents, religious scholars, community figures—all of them. I must say I apologise,” Aboe said at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He also confirmed that he had provided statements to the MKD during the summons. He stated there was no intention to corner religious scholars and Islamic boarding schools in Madura.
“I need to explain that the statement was made in the context of concern so that the BNN can help ensure drugs do not enter the areas of Islamic boarding schools and communities,” he said.
He noted that the spread of narcotics has become increasingly widespread in society, targeting various layers. Therefore, he urged religious educational institutions to increase vigilance and strengthen drug prevention.
“However, my delivery at the time was not appropriate. I repeat, my statement was not appropriate. Thus, it caused multiple interpretations,” he said.
He emphasised that religious scholars and Islamic boarding schools are the main pillars in safeguarding the nation’s morals and ethics. In the context of drug eradication, he believes the role of religious scholars is very strategic as the frontline in education and prevention.
“This incident has become a valuable lesson for me to be more kind-hearted in conveying, more careful, I mean, in expressing views in public spaces,” he said.
Previously, during the Commission III House of Representatives meeting with the National Narcotics Agency at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (7/4), Aboe Bakar said that the BNN must collaborate with other institutions and study the workings of drug circulation, which has spread to various layers.
He exemplified that it is suspected that there are religious scholars and Islamic boarding schools in Madura involved with narcotics. He asked the BNN to check and confirm the truth of that information.
“I am worried that those playing around with this are those with positions or big businessmen,” Aboe said.