Political observer Rocky Gerung called President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) a “stupid son of a bitch” in his speech at a labor event in Bekasi, West Java, some time ago. Swearing was made in response to Jokowi’s policies in managing the country.
Dr. Emrus Sihombing, a communicologist at Pelita Harapan University, said that Rocky Gerung’s statement was not ethical and not based on Pancasila values. According to him, this swearing does not reflect civility according to the principles of Pancasila.
“Civilization itself is in accordance with the values that exist in Indonesia, including ethics, politeness and respect for others. I see that there is a diction that emerged this weekend that is not quite right, this is an example of democracy going too far, such as the diction ‘stupid bastard’. Of course, what is conveyed in diction does not fit at all,” he said in a national television station program, Wednesday (02/08/2023).
Dr. Emrus explained that the criticism voiced by a political observer was very unethical and contained elements of demeaning others. Not only demeaning the president but also demeaning the listeners.
“In my view, I think that is looking down on other people. Not only President Jokowi, but he also demeans his viewers and demeans himself. Whereas in communication we should have an egalitarian position and there is equality, “he said.
Dr. Emrus thinks that the “dumb-asshole” diction is not worthy of mention in criticism. He thought that this diction was very insulting to the President and the people.
”The dictions that have been built by Rocky Gerung so far have positioned himself as superior and others as inferior, others as inferior to him. All this time he has also continued to seek justification. Whereas in KBBI, the meaning of ‘bastard’ is a criminal, is it appropriate to address the Head of State?” he said.
He continued, in criticism there should be a constructive element, not in the form of insults. Constructive criticism is healthy criticism directed at the program, not directed at someone including the president.
“From a communication point of view, you should be able to state facts, data and weaknesses, don’t mention people’s names. Call it the program. But when the word ‘stupid’ is said, that’s already personal, right, that’s not good,” he said.
“The criticism made by Rocky Gerung was beyond manners. We have to differentiate openness in communication, but we don’t agree with openness that discredits other people,” he continued.
Dr. Emrus also advised the younger generation or millennials to be able to use various sources of information wisely and wisely, not just based on one source.
“To our young generation, especially to the millennial generation, regarding something, access it from various sources of information and not just from one source. Because it will also educate,” he concluded.
