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Fadli Zon threatens to sue New York imam for criticizing Trump stunt
Jakarta Globe - September 7, 2015
"We were not showing support or anything as such. It's not like we have a right to vote or hold any sway in the US presidential [election]," Fadli said in a press statement on Saturday, according to Indonesian news portal metrotvnews.com.
"Donald Trump hasn't even [officially] nominated himself. He is only trying to win the support of the Republicans," he added.
Setya and Fadli made a surprise appearance at a campaign event by Trump in New York on Thursday, in a stunt both the Indonesian legislature and the Foreign Ministry said they were not aware of.
Both of the House leaders claimed that Indonesians liked Trump very much, event though in reality it is unlikely that the majority of the Indonesian population even know who Trump is. Plenty of those who do, do not have an opinion of him all and many also see him as a controversial US TV figure.
"I don't mean to disrespect honorable House members. But being present at the Donald Trump event is lowering yourselves and the dignity of the nation [Indonesia]," Shamsi Ali, an Indonesian national and the imam of Al-Hikmah Mosque in New York City's Astoria neighborhood, said on his Facebook page on Saturday – a post that was widely shared.
"Who is Donald Trump to treat the [Indonesian] House speaker and his deputy like that – after the event ended he just abandoned them like a bunch of confused people," he added.
Shamsi, a well-known interfaith activist in New York, added that attending campaign events like the one held by Trump on Thursday could be interpreted by viewers as a show of support – despite Setya's and Fadli's denials.
"It is unethical for state officials to be present at meetings like that," said the former imam of New York's largest mosque located in the Islamic Cultural Center of New York.
The lawmakers' trip also attracted the attention of the watchdog group Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency (Fitra), which calculated that it cost Indonesian taxpayers at least Rp 4.6 billion ($325,000), but likely a lot more. Meanwhile, others pointed to a costly watch apparently worn by Setya, which was seen fleetingly on the House speaker's wrist during the meeting with Trump.
Fadli accused Shamsi of defamation, criticizing the latter for basing his judgment and criticism on incomplete information.
"You've disparaged us by saying [Trump] only received us for three minutes prior to making us show up on the stage. You drew a conclusion without first examining what we discussed [with Trump]; you didn't know that there had been a meeting [before the televised appearance]," the House deputy speaker said.
According to Fadli, he, Setya and several other Indonesian lawmakers had had a closed-door meeting with Trump at the 26th floor of the Trump Tower prior to attending the campaign event in the building's lobby – although he stopped short of mentioning what the meeting was about.
Fadli said they were in New York representing Indonesia at an inter-parliamentary gathering hosted by the United Nations. He added that as the group intended to leave Trump Tower through the lobby, they stumbled across a large crowd, with Trump holding a press conference.
"So, showing some courtesy, we watched until the press conference ended," Fadli explained, adding that he had felt "honored" to have met the outspoken US billionaire, who has been labeled as a racist by opponents.
"The person we met wasn't corrupt, a war criminal or a thug – but a successful businessman who is also investing in Indonesia," Fadli said.
He added that as a religious leader, Shamsi should have applied the Islamic principle of "tabayyun" – or clarifying information – before he criticized the House leaders publicly.
Fadli also demanded that the imam retract his statement. "Otherwise I will sue you for violation the electronic information and transaction law," he said.
Last month, Trump Hotel Collection, the tycoon's luxury hotel chain, signed an agreement with Indonesian business conglomerate MNC Group to manage a six-star resort and residential estate in Bali.
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